After two weeks of the siege and partial eviction of the house project Rigaer 94, it is time for us to take the first step, and propose for discussion ways that we might go forward together.
Firstly we would like to pass on the good news that we have overcome the first stressful phase. It took us a few days to come from being totally confused and overwhelmed to a point where we could take stock of the general situation in the house.
We had to got over the initial shock of the sudden siege and also the flagrant tactic of carrying out the eviction in the name of ‘Refugee Support.’ Quite soon after this we began to sabotage the work of the labourers, security and cops. Because of the overwhelmingly disproportionate balance of power, we were forced to construct ourselves a threatening image. It was very quickly apparent that even in the occupied zone here it is possible to operate somewhat outside of the law.
After this, a number of security personnel succumbed to our pressure. They were positioned all over the house, and we could convey quite believably to them in no uncertain words, that the only reason for their continued physical safety was the considerable police presence outside. A group of security workers who were posted in the house from the very beginning have all left. One of the decisive factors was the hopefully lasting realisation that by doing their job, they have placed themselves on the side of the pigs, who were responsible for the murder of someone among their milieu a few years earlier. The prominent case of Slieman Hamade, in which we have involved ourselves, gives our story an unexpected pointe.
We are absolutely sure that the instigation of the ‘Tag-X’ concept — especially the actions that captured media attention — have been essential in supporting the credibility of our threats. They have given us considerable strength in our often hourly, nerve-wracking confrontations.
Our combined combatative stance has had the effect that the cops have prepared themselves to stay here in large numbers for a long time. We cannot imagine how they could think of leaving the security workers alone in the house with us again. At the moment it looks like this is anyway not possible for them.
So it has come about that the police occupation has been cemented in its current form. This insight gave us the necessary rest to explore different legal options, unpleasant as it may be to engage with the state in this way. It looks as though we have anyway scant hope for any positive outcome through legal channels.
We are elated by the albeit gradual reemergence of a critical public. The risk is great for Interior Minister Frank Henkel, that this saga will bring about his spectacular downfall. We recall that this was exactly the challenge of Rigaer Strasse after learning of the eviction threat.
The primitive brutality of Henkel’s hired thugs is playing a significant role in this: with their attack on us they affronted the neighbourhood. The confrontations in the streets show that we do have structures of solidarity, and that the “rebellious Nordkiez” is not just an idea dreamed up by the autonomous scene. On Sunday evening, when a cop tried to steal the phone from a woman standing outside of Rigaer 94, the people standing nearby stepped in to vigorously intervene. The photos of the person who was heavily injured in this escalation are a harsh reminder of this violent experience for us all. However, these experiences only serve to bind us more strongly together. There is no longer a front house and a back house, there is now only one Rigaer 94.
Now when we say ‘Rigar 94 stays’, then we are talking about one hundred percent of the people here. When we say ‘Rigaer stays’, then we are talking about everyone who is fighting back against this police attack on the structures of solidarity and rebelliousness in our neighbourhood.
Therefore we now ask ourselves the question, how can we actually prevail?
This much we are sure of, we must channel all of our resources into this confrontation. If we have any posibility to release more energy, then it must be done in the next few weeks of this siege.
We propose to use the week before the demonstration on Saturday, 9th July, to intensify the conflict.
Directly after the eviction there were a series of night time riots. Until today, there has been no night free of offensive actions. Rigaer 94 has put out the call to throw Berlin into chaos.
The actions must be decentralised, regardless of the level of intensity, the number of actions must increase and the terrain must be expanded worldwide. We want a ‘Black July!‘
Locally, we welcome all creative, powerful, subversive and crazy actions or publicity stunts. The goal may be to bring an early finish to the summer holidays of the Berlin police, before they really got started. Or the goal could be to create moments where people can come together, connect, share and reflect.
Finally, on the 9th of July, we hope that everyone who wants to support us can come to Berlin. The demonstration is, as far as we know, registered. It can, however, serve as a starting point, or provide support for other unregistered actions. We will show that housing capital can be risky capital! Release your rage against those responsible for gentrification! Unleash your hate against the lackeys of the state! Precipitate pain for those who profit from the prevailing logic! No action is off limits!
***
We appreciate the call for a Black July from Rigaer 94. Many comrades in a lot of countries followed the call for a Black December of Nikos Romanos (Greek Prisoner). It’s not just about the Rigaer 94 that people now connect and think about strategies, attack different enemies of our freedom and struggle against the cops and the system.
Especially in Germany the fight against the system was weak the last years. People were not able to combine their fights and actions without dissociating from others. The question of violence was not discussed anymore and the alliances got wider and more in accordance to the system. Now there is a house that struggles without compromises, maybe their attitude impressed some of us, some still think that they should have brought their house themselves and could be “free” now. But the sign they send, saying that they keep their status and fight, now shows it’s effect on a lot of us. It’s a window that opens up for a short time that we should use to stand together. A moment when we are fucking angry and use our strength to go on the streets and take them back!
Thanks to all of you who used the concept of Tag X to show your solidarity with the Rigaer 94 and their ideas!
For a Black July
Let us feel the heat coming from our hearts to the streets every night
******
Berlin
22.06.16
Kreuzberg: Day X Demonstration. Stones for a civil cop car and a union (verdi).
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
Kreuzberg: Attack on a Cop car at Mariannenplatz.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
Prenzlauer Berg. Burned cars.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
Prenzlauer Berg: Construction side equipment for a luxury building burned.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
Prenzlauer Berg: Attack on luxury buildings with stones.
Kreuzberg: Spontaneous Demonstration – Stones for an ex-squatted building and the district exchange.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/182939
Moabit/Mitte/Kreuzberg: Attacks on banks with stones, color and fire.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
Rummelsburg: Deluxe cars were burned.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
Friedrichshain: A luxury building was attacked with stones.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
Prenzlauer Berg: Office of a Party got attacked.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183076
A-Radio: Comment about the eviction of the Kadterschmiede in Rigaer 94
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/182796
23.06.16
Prenzlauer Berg: Cop car was attacked from behind.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/image/183078.jpg
24.06.16
Wedding: A Job center was attacked with color by a zebra and a giraffe.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183036
Nikolassee: Three deluxe cars burned out and graffitties in solidarity with Rigaer 94 were sprayed.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183072
Kreuzberg: Solistatement at Tempest anarchist Library.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmnYXcLWIAAbdcZ.jpg
25.06.16
Wedding: Spontaneous and illegal Demonstration against the eviction in Rigaer 94. About 100 Persons colored and damaged a Job center and the main office of the Social Democratic Party.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183227
Schöneweide: Two burned cars in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183155
Neukölln: Demonstration in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183208
26.06.16
Wilmersdorf: One car of the Wall-company burned out.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183208
Rummelburg: Five cars were burned.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183208
Wedding: Two cars burned.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183208
Mitte: Four cars burned.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.491288.php
Banner – We stay all! Love R94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183303
27.06.16
Kreuzberg: Broken lock and the slogan R94 forever on an estate office (Taekker).
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/node/183318
Neukölln: Car burned out.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.491530.php
Mitte: Attacks against an estate office and a bank with stones.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183467
Pankow: Attack against an estate office with stones. Slogans in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183467
Friedrichshain: Graffitti at an office of a politician.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.491290.php
Kreuzberg: Burned BMW.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.491344.php
Friedrichshain: Container burned.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.491905.php
28.06.16
Friedrichshain: Estate Office lost windows and got sprayed with the slogan „Rigaer stays“.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183465
Mitte: Attack against Job center with color and stones.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/node/183524
29.06.16
Schöneberg/Mitte: Burned cars of diplomats in solidarity with the struggle in France and Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183622
Wedding: Attack against housing corporation (Gesobau) with color and stones.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/node/183690
RAF: Reformation of advertisements all over the city.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183575
30.06.16
Prenzlauer Berg: Demonstration against the festivity of the Christian Democratic Union and it‘s „Star“ Henkel (Minister for internal affairs).
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183769
Neukölln: Train sprayed – Day X is not over.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmPBseOWUAAnTI-.jpg
01.07.16
Rigaer 94: Sabotage of the security doors that were installed after the eviction.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183812
Friedrichshain: Video-Manifestation at „Dorfplatz“ (Rigaer / Liebig Str.).
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183983
Neukölln: Burned Cop car in front of a police station.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/node/183986
02.07.16
Mitte: Attack against the security company Sicherheit Nord with stones.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/node/183826
Friedrichshain: Attack against an office of a party.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.493705.php
03.07.16
Charlottenburg: Graffitti in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.493725.php
Rummelsburg: Three cars burned out.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.493720.php
Steglitz: A BMW burned.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.493718.php
04.07.16
Spandau: Broken windows of a bank (Commerzbank) in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/184072
Westend: Attack on a recording studio of persons who are responsible for the eviction of Rosemarie F., who died two days after. In Remembrance of Rosemarie F. – In Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/184020
Prenzlauer Berg: Color for Next Estate in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/184083
Prenzlauer Berg: Construction equipment burned out.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.493860.php
Lichtenberg: Demonstration of refugees and supporters from a Lager in Lichtenberg to Rigaer Straße.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183681
Videos: Call for action and statement from inhabitants of Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/184054
05.07.16
Dorfplatz: Autonomous court – We are not governmentable.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cmm5YMBWAAABhvx.jpg
Dorfplatz: Concert in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/184158
Kreuzberg: Critical Mass in Solidarity with Rigaer 94. Color for the building management (BELIMA), Deutsche Bank and luxury buildings.
Kreuzberg: Solistatement from Meuterei (Bar collective).
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/184111
Friedrichshain/Lichtenberg: Four cars burned out.
http://www.berlin.de/polizei/polizeimeldungen/pressemitteilung.494404.php
Other Cities
22.06.16
Nürnberg: Spontaneous demonstration in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/182928
Magdeburg: Broken windows of estate agencies (remax, büschel) in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/182951
Mainz: Spontaneous Demonstration in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/182894
Würzburg: Spontaneous Demonstration in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/182876
Weingarten: Broken windows of a bank in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183135
Hamburg: Burned Porsche in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183103
Dresden: Burned car of Thyssen Krupp in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/182962
Hamburg: Banner in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183010
23.06.16
Leipzig: Stand behind you Rigaer94. Seven cars of the CG-Group, that wants to built luxury houses in the Rigaer Strasse, were burned out.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183033
Rostock: Broken ticket machine and painted face of the court in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/182954
24.06.16
Basel: Demonstration against Racism, Repression and Displacement – Greeting to Rigaer 94
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183412
Würzburg: Color for Yuppies – Soliaction for Rigaer.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183071
Regensburg: Solistatement – No Border No Nation No Gentrification.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183222
25.06.16
Schwarzenbek: Solidarity from the hinterland. Banner for Rigaer94
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183161
Bautzen: Demonstration in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183234
Leipzig: Demonstration in Solidarity with Rigaer 94, Cop cars were attacked.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183476
26.06.16
Leipzig: Burned container of a constructions side for luxury buildings.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183648
Weimar: Graffitties in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183255
Flensburg: Graffiti in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183401
Wattenscheid: Graffitti in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cl4BypsWYAAtpFn.jpg
27.06.16
Tübingen: BMW burned out in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183304
Tübingen: Two Mercedes were burned in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183300
Hamburg: Burned Car sharing-BMW (Drive Now).
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183373
Hamburg: Attack on new deluxe condominiums with color and stones.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183378
Bremen: A pile of broken glass in Solidarity with Rigaer 94. Attack against an estate office (Poll).
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183680
28.06.16
Weimar: Color and Stones for an estate office and the office of the Christian Democratic Union.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183609
Frankfurt: Broken windows of a luxury building with steel balls.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183506
Lübeck: Statement in Solidarity from Walli to Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183532
Jena: Banner and Greetings in Solidarity with Rigaer 94.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183539
30.06.16
Dortmund: Color for Wert-Estate.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/en/node/183757
04.07.16
Würzburg: Attack against the Job center with stones and color – Rigaer 94 is everywhere.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/183995
Bielefeld: R94 is everywhere! Attack on a luxury building with stones and color.
https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/184051