On the occasion of the current inflation and energy price crisis, the alliance "Not on our backs" is organizing information stands for the "Wesertor against price increases" campaign.. Regular contact points with warm food and drinks are planned for autumn and winter. They want to use this to create a district network. A report on the work in the district network and the situation in the district.
Einige Passanten und Passantinnen eilen vorbei, schütteln den Kopf und weisen Flyer von sich. Sie haben keine Zeit oder keine Lust sich mit fremden Menschen auf der Straße über ihre Probleme zu unterhalten, oder denken, ihnen würde etwas verkauft werden. Doch andere bleiben stehen, sind neugierig und lassen sich auf ein Gespräch ein. Viele bejahten sofort die Frage, ob ihnen die Preiserhöhungen bei Lebensmitteln und Energie zu schaffen mache
Über eine Woche hinweg standen fast täglich vier bis fünf junge Menschen am Wesertorplatz und wollten mit ihren Infoständen die Menschen auf der Straße ansprechen. Es geht um die Krise, um Preissteigerung, Inflation und den Versuch, eine gemeinsame Antwort zu finden. Mobilization proved to be a challenge for the group, but they are confident and say: “We first have to become known a little and show our presence in the district.”
The questions are personal: “Also live in the district? Are you also afraid of rising gas prices? How is your family??” A resident of the Wesertor district tells us, that she had already received four different increases in rent and energy costs this fall. Soon she wouldn't know anymore, how she should pay for it. Desperation and helplessness were written all over her face. Because real estate companies are not afraid to increase the basic rent, even though gas prices are skyrocketing and the inflation rate is at its highest since 70 Not for years. The fear is growing, Soon you will no longer be able to pay rent and heating costs. And according to the activists, this must turn into anger, that brings them together.
In the current crisis, the alliance wants to encourage those affected to do so, to become active together: “Sitting at home alone doesn't help! We have to talk to people, we have to organize and show solidarity”, says one of the activists. There are different strategies, that make up the district work. People should become active through one-on-one conversations, so that they come to district meetings and get involved.
The alliance “Not on our backs” consists of different left-wing groups from Kassel. It was already founded in winter 2021, around one solidarische Antwort auf die Corona Pandemie auf die Straße zu tragen. Auch damals zeichneten sich eine erhöhte Inflation ab, die das Bündnis in seinem Protest thematisierte. Doch es geht nicht nur auf die Straße, sondern grade auch rein ins Warme: In Anbetracht der vermutlich lange kalt bleibenden Privatwohnungen wollen sie diesen Herbst und Winter auch Anlaufstellen für warmes Essen bieten. Es soll ein Ort geschaffen werden zum Austausch, für Gespräche und für kurz oder lang einen beheizten Raum, in dem alle willkommen sind.
“Arme Menschen, die keinerlei Rücklagen haben, werden von der Inflation besonders hart getroffen. Wir können nicht ‘alle den Gürtel enger schnallen’, weil bei vielen von uns einfach nichts mehr da ist. Diese Tatsache, which is statistically proven, is repeatedly confirmed to the activists in their conversations at the information stand.”
Initiative activist “Wesertor against price increases”
The current campaign “Wesertor against price increases” focuses on the Wesertor district, which, along with Rothenditmold and Nordstadt, is one of the poorer districts in Kassel. This is where they see the greatest need, Because not everyone is affected equally by the crisis: With their campaign they want to invite people in the Wesertor district to do so, to exchange ideas with their neighbors about the situation and the associated problems. In addition, a strategy should be developed, how to react together politically to the price increases. Whether the alliance is successful, will become apparent in the coming weeks.
There are alliances across Germany on these topics, Groups and campaigns founded, such as the initiative “Solidarity autumn“, an alliance of trade unions and environmental organizations. The “Redistribute now” is an alliance in Berlin, in which left-wing groups call for demos or the campaign “Enough is enough” initially gained attention primarily with an online strategy in social networks . Everyone relies on different strategies and methods, to build solidarity structures in the crisis and to make their demands loud - whether at demonstrations or in the newly discovered district work. Main thing, the crisis will not be carried out “on our backs”..