Demonstrating… What Exactly?

Berlin has such a strong protest culture that it feels like it eclipses all other political action. But why? And for all the incredible amount of time and effort we put into this a particular form of organizing, do we really have so much to show for it?

This text looks at demonstrations in Berlin, principally the street movement over the last three years in support of Palestinian liberation. It tries to critically analyze the form and function of demos beyond what we assume them to be.

But it’s not just about the Palestine solidarity movement, nor just about protests. It’s not even just about Berlin. It’s a case study in a particular set of tactics and actions over the last three years that are representative of “western” radicalism at large.