Lethargic Germans are slowly waking up
In Germany all hell is loose. People are stuck at the airport, burning tyres all over the streets and everywhere in the country you see the workforce marching down the streets to fight for their right to benefit from the huge profits corporations make and to defend the 'welfare state', while chanting "Power to the People!".
Nah, don't worry. People still don't bother to do something to change anything. They are happy going to work to be exploited and abused or rot at home receiving 300-400€ from the generous German government after having worked their ass off as a bus driver and paid taxes for over 30 years. Well, some of you might say "Hey, these are still great circumstances, compared to our conditions in Bangladesh/Nigeria/Brazil." Yes, you are right. Germans are a lucky bunch, being an industrialized country gladly profiting from the misery in other countries, like most wonderful '1st World countries' do.
Yeps, our average wages are still higher than those paid in most other countries and we still have something like a healthcare system left. Bravo!
But the current government (just like the previous one) is trying hard to change that. Let me give you a few examples:
"We need to do something to attract foreign investment. Bla bla bla..." That's what the Germans (and probably many more people around the world) get to hear from their governments. Hmm... tax rates for the rich keep dropping, while those for the masses keep rising and still the unemployment rate hits a record high each year. Strange, isn't it?! I am pretty sure this is not a German phenomenon.
Can you believe it, we don't even have a minimum wage.
You think that people over here are all to busy and occupied with the coming World Cup on their mind?! Well, unfortunatly you are right. But things are slowly changing. The government assumes that we are too occupied with that big show in June, that we won't bother to resist its (neo-liberal) policies.
But there is hope. Finally some people are doing something. And who else could it be, but the uni students!
For about one week now thousands of students across the country have been going to the streets to oppose the destruction of the 'welfare state', in particular the uni fee hikes (of over 200%), and get a taste of pepper spray from the police.
In the 60s hundreds of thousands of students in this country (and a couple of others) fought for free education for all. That's one vital characterstic of a welfare state. Now the German government wants to throw that important achievement away. Resistance is long overdue!
Education should be free for all! A proper democratic government is responsible to enable the people to educate themself and attain a degree regardless how much money one has in his/her pockets.
Those that can't afford the fees are allowed to take up credits with an interest rate of up to 7,5%. Isn't that generous?! Thank you so much, Deutsche Bank!
But how are we suppose to pay it back, if we can't get a proper job afterwards, but end up going from one company to another as a trainee?
A prof in Darmstadt recently mentioned that the introduction of uni fees would even harm the financial situation of unis across the country, since less students will be able to attend them. The government gives unis financial support according to the number of registered students they have. (for more info)
The government is tired of financing universities and therefore looks for other sources. First it will try to encourage students to pay for the uni costs and then sponsors will enter the arena. A total commercialization of univeristies is planned. This isn't right and needs to be fought!
Right now politicians are running their own show and don't bother what the majority wants. What kind of democracy is that?
But let me give you a few examples of what has actually been organized by students recently, since non of this you get to read in the papers (except for the local town paper maybe and some independent students websites).
Insight report written by a student in Marburg:
"Thousands of students have been going to the streets demonstrating across Germany for the past couple of days. And that's just the beginning. We are struggling so that the states in Germany won't introduce study fees in unis. Access to education (be it Kindergarten or Universities) should be for all and not just for those that can afford it.
On friday there was a huge Demo here in little Marburg with around 5000 people taking part. Walking around town for about 5 1/2 hrs, sitting down at important junctions in town and chanting. Highlight was the blockage of the Autobahn (highway). We had to be faster than the police in order to get onto the Autobahn, but we managed to trick them this time. So in the end we (est. 150 students) sat there and blocked the Autobahn while the police was getting ready to have us removed with force. But after around 20 mins we left willingly and it didn't come to any confrontation. Although they didn't hesitate to use pepper spray just minutes before to keep us from getting onto the Autobahn.
Police constantly tracked us with a helicopter, also during the peaceful demonstration.
Anyway, yesterday there was another big event. A female minister (Karin Wolff) from the party responsible for the new fee regulations (CDU) came over to Marburg. She was a guest of honour at the so called Software Ctr.
500 students showed up to let her feel our discontent.
We made a human chain around the whole building to give her and everyone who attented that meeting a tough time to leave the building.
It was good.
Furthermore we made a lot of noise at the back of the building and according to Press reports, they also heard us inside the hall. So, that mission was successful.
Police was there in full force. Around 200 of them, some with dogs and all with weapons.
Just like friday they kept filiming those taking part in the protests, that's why from now on I'll always wear a hat and sun glasses.
Anyway, other unis around the country also take part in protests.
Tomorrow we'll head down to Wiesbaden, which is like the capital of the state of Hessen in Germany, to protest.
And on 28 June (I think), students from all over Germany will take action. Many (including me) will head to Frankfurt to fight for our right to free education and against the market capitalization of unis."
Everybody that opposes the "Sozialabbau" should support the students. We don't just fight against uni fees, but the destruction of the welfare state as a whole.
In NRW (North-Rhein-Westphalia) the introduction of the fees was delayed already. All due to the massive protests last year. (for more infos)
So let's not give up and keep shouting:
"WIR SIND HIER - WIR SIND LAUT - WEIL MAN UNS DIE BILDUNG KLAUT!"
And we'll keep on fighting till we got rid of this new policy.
Students unite!
The following websites keep you up-to-date on what is going on regarding the students protests in Germany (unfortunatly all in German, but I'll post some updates here from time to time):
Oh, and come down to Wiesbaden tomorrow (17/05) and head to the Landtag with us (9am).
If you can't make it tomorrow, then join us at 10am at the Rhein Main Halle in Wiesbaden on the 20th May.
~peace~
