Intermediate Rally
So, that was a powerful start to our demonstration.
We’re now holding a short intermediate rally.
Trigger warning: In the next 5–10 minutes we will be talking about sexual abuse and violence. We would also like to remind you of our awareness team — you can recognize them by their yellow vests.
We are here today because patriarchal violence is still systemic!
Many of you have probably heard about the Epstein files over the past few weeks.
Epstein, together with a large network, systematically raped and sexually abused women and underage girls. He had a recruitment system that was in some cases already used for girls as young as 14. These girls were also passed on to other men. Overall, it is estimated that around 100 people were affected over several decades. Epstein was not a lone perpetrator, but part of a large network of individuals. In recent weeks, more and more names have appeared in the files. We ask ourselves: where is the public outcry?
This is not about a powerful elite — it is about men who commit violence when they can. Men with power who abuse it. And this also happens here in Germany.
We are also here today because this violence must end! Networks and acts like these are not isolated cases, but expressions of patriarchal violence.
At Towanda there was a workshop today on the topic of power, intimacy, and violence.
Short interview. Workshop description:
Gaslighting, love bombing, victim blaming, devaluation, mansplaining, boundary violations, emotional blackmail, control, toxic relationships, sexualized violence. Behind these terms there is often more than just bad behavior — it is about violence. And it does not only affect “others”: violence can happen anywhere — in shared apartments, relationships, friendships, and also in political or subcultural spaces where we actually want to feel safe. Especially in young adulthood — for example in first romantic relationships or new living and social contexts — violence in close social environments is particularly common, without always being recognized as such.
Whether you are personally affected, want to show solidarity, or want to reflect on your own behavior: this event invites you to listen, reflect, and take action.
At JG there was a workshop by the Self-Defense and Self-Assertion Collective.
Short interview. Workshop description:
Every day we are confronted with situations that cross our boundaries. We have to assert ourselves and are often perceived as weak. But there is great strength within us! And we want to bring that strength to the surface, get to know it, and learn how to use it. We want to actively challenge the patriarchy!
In this introductory workshop, we want to hear and see together how loud we can be, what strength we have, and how we can stand up for ourselves and act in situations where our boundaries are crossed.
There was also supposed to be a workshop today on antimilitarism and feminism, which unfortunately had to be cancelled. It’s a very current topic: this week there was a panel discussion on Monday and a school strike against conscription on Thursday. They will now tell us a bit about these events.
Short interview.
Description of the originally planned workshop:
As you just heard, there were not only exciting events today. Yesterday there was also a cultural evening, and we will now hear a bit about it.
Short interview.
Final Rally
We have now arrived at the final rally point.
We will hear two more contributions, then there will be an opportunity for an open mic, and we will end with a song together.
The open mic is meant as a chance to briefly share: What gave you strength today?
Today, URL organized a workshop on “Antifascist Feminism or Feminist Antifascism?”
Short interview. Workshop description:
Anti-feminism and transphobia are central pillars of fascist ideology.
At the same time, hatred against women, trans, and non-binary people is so widely rooted in society that fascists can easily connect these issues to what is often called the “center of society.”
And this widespread hatred is not an abstract issue for university seminars — it very concretely threatens the lives of those affected.
It is therefore only logical that our struggle for a liberated society must be both feminist and antifascist.
But what does that mean for our concrete practice?
Do we need a feminist antifascism or an antifascist feminism?
Not only here in the city center was there a brunch for March 8th today. At the Solidarity Health Center in Winzerla, a potluck brunch was also organized.
Short interview. Workshop description:
On March 8th we warmly invited everyone to a potluck brunch at SGZ in Winzerla.
Together we wanted to talk about unpaid care work — all the work that often happens as a matter of course in everyday life: caring for children, supporting relatives, listening, organizing, providing emotional support, and keeping households running.
This work is still often invisible and unpaid in our society.
The potluck brunch invited people to share experiences, connect with one another, and gather strength for the rally and demonstration.
We have now heard a lot about the initiatives that exist, what we can do, and how we can come into conversation with one another. Because we need to organize ourselves beyond March 8th as well!
So we want to ask again: What gave you strength today?
If you would like, come to the front for the open mic and share it with us.
Open Mic
In a moment there will also be Food for All (Küche für Alle) and a social gathering at the Kulturschlachthof where we can continue talking and networking.
Song sheets have just been handed out. The song goes back to the 1912 strike of textile workers in the United States, when 20,000 workers — mostly women — went on strike. Their slogan was “Bread and Roses.”
We would now like to sing this song together as our closing.
Thank you all for coming, and thank you to everyone who made this day possible!