Watching police activities and authoritarian developments. Rise up against facism and any kind of discrimination!
Unsere friends von http://www.unbedingt.blogsport.eu haben auch einen Kommentar zu Einrichtung der Waffenverbotszone auf der Eisenbahnstraße geschrieben:
http://unbedingt.blogsport.eu/kontroll_ueberwachung/waffenverbotszone/
Auf ihrem Blog finden sich weiter Infos zur Eisenbahnstraße, ihrer Geschichte, Polizeipraxen und Aktionismus. Unbedingt vorbei schauen!
Bald gibt es auch Infos von uns was wir am Tag der feierlichen Enthüllung so vorhaben….. stay tuned!
Am Abend des 16.10.18 wird veröffentlicht, dass die Waffenverbotszone im Raum der Eisenbahnstraße im Leipziger Osten ab dem 5.11.18 eingerichtet wird. Das bedeutet für uns: Action!
Die LVZ fasst wesentliche Veränderungen zusammen: „Bestraft werden kann danach, wer laut Waffengesetz ‘Schusswaffen oder tragbare Gegenstände, die dazu geeignet sind, die Angriffs- oder Abwehrfähigkeit von Menschen herabzusetzen’ mit sich trägt. Als waffenähnliche gefährliche Gegenstände gelten auch Haushaltsmesser, Schraubendreher, Hammer und andere metallene oder scharfkantige Werkzeuge oder Holzstiele, Handschuhe mit harten Füllungen sowie Reizstoffe und Tierabwehrsprays. Je nach Schwere und Häufigkeit sind Bußgelder bis zu 10 000 Euro möglich. Für private Sicherheitsdienste, Handwerker, Gastronomen und Anwohner gelten unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen Ausnahmen.“ Zu rechnen haben wir außerdem mit einer höheren Kontrolldichte. Rund um die Uhr also umher schleichende Streifencops, Fahrradcops, schritttempofahrende Wannen, Sachsens Bereitschaftscops, denen man* rechtsbeistandslos ausgeliefert ist. Vermutlich gibt es noch mehr Kameras. Überwachung, Einschüchterung, Verfolgung.
Die Bezeichnung „Waffenverbotszone“ ist in der Hinsicht irreführend, als dass sie „nur“ verdachtsunabhängige Kontrollen ermöglicht. Waffen mit sich herum zu tragen ist in den seltensten Fällen erlaubt und das ist auch gut so. Was es der Polizei durch die Erforschung von Verstößen ermöglicht, ist jedoch vor allem die Suche nach Menschen, die keinen Aufenthaltstitel bekommen und deswegen kriminalisiert werden. Racial profiling – Kontrollen sind gängige rassistische Praxis und werden immer wieder herangezogen, um die Kriminalitätsstatistik aufzupolieren. Als migrantisch geprägtes Viertel eignet sich die Verfolgung also gerade gut.
2016 wurden im Gebiet Eisenbahnstraße/Rabet sechs Straftaten gegen das Leben, 55 Raubstraftaten, 199 Körperverletzungsdelikte, 44 Bedrohungen, 13 Sexualdelikte und 149 Drogendelikte erfasst. Wir haben keine Motivation Verletzung von Leben, Körper, Freiheit und sexueller Selbstbestimmung kleinzureden. Selbst eine Tat wäre zu viel. Jedoch sollte beachtet werden, dass die Anzahl nur die Anzeigen darstellen und keine Aussage darüber treffen, ob sich der Verdacht erhärtet hat. Setzt man* dies noch in Relation zum abgebildeten Zeitraum und stellt fest, dass die Menge der Straftaten in den letzten Jahren eher rückläufig war, lesen sich diese Zahlen doch noch mal anders. Wo man* nach Straftaten sucht, findet man* sie eben auch.
„Mit der Waffenverbotszone wollen wir die Sicherheit der Bürger erhöhen. Auch wenn sie kein Allheilmittel ist, so ist die Waffenverbotszone ein wichtiger Baustein in dem sicherheitspolitischen Gesamtkonzept für Leipzig“, begründet Innenminister Roland Wöller (CDU) in der LVZ. Das einzige, was hier erhöht wird, ist allerdings ein Gefühl der ständigen Kontrolle, der andauernden Angst von der Polizei abwertend und gewaltvoll behandelt zu werden und eine Richtung, in der Freiheiten immer weiter eingeschränkt werden. Das Sicherheitsargument dient nur dem Ausbau eines Sicherheitsapparates, der uns überwacht, kontrolliert und unterdrückt.
Kriminalität ist nur die Erscheinungsform sozialer Probleme und das Vorgehen gegen die kriminalisierten Personen höchstens Verdrängung, die Zerstörung einer Lebensperspektive und die Verstärkung sozialer Ungleichheiten. Das „Allheilmittel“, von dem Wöller spricht, wäre ein solidarisches Miteinander, in der soziale Probleme gelöst werden, in dem die Ursachen behoben werden, anstatt die Störer zu bekämpfen.
Schon seit Monaten bereiten wir uns deswegen mit Infomaterial, Teilnahme an Diskussionsveranstaltungen, Demos und Workshops auf diese Ernennung vor. Wir werden uns die Eingriffe in unsere Freiheiten und das Recht auf Leben im öffentlichen Raum nicht nehmen lassen. Eurer Waffenverbotszone setzen wir unsere Waffe der Solidarität entgegen.
Ihr kontrolliert uns → wir kontrollieren euer Handeln. Wie das aussehen kann und weitere Informationen, findest du in unserem Basistext (https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/2018/09/12/basistext/).
Die „feierliche“ Eröffnung am 5.11.18 mit Wöller und Oberbürgermeister Jung werden wir nicht widerspruchs- und protestlos hinnehmen, denn: Kriminell ist das System – Nicht wir!
*About us – English below*
Wer wir sind
Wir sind eine linksradikale Gruppe von Aktivist*innen aus Leipzig.
Unsere Themenschwerpunkte sind unter anderem autoritäre Entwicklungen, staatliche Diskriminierung insbesondere racial profiling, Polizeigewalt, Rechte Strukturen im Sicherheitsapparat, Polizeiarbeit/-skandale, Protest Policing, soziale Sicherheit, Transformative Justice, Community Organizing, Alternativen zur Polizei und Waffenverbotszone.
Wir knüpfen dabei an ein internationales Netzwerk von Copwatch Gruppen an. Die erste gab es 1990 in Berkeley, USA: https://www.berkeleycopwatch.org/history. Weitere Copwatch Gruppen in Deutschland gibt es in Frankfurt (https://copwatchffm.org/) und Hamburg (https://copwatchhamburg.blackblogs.org/
Du möchtest dich an unserer Arbeit beteiligen oder hast Fragen? Dann schreib uns doch einfach eine Mail.
Wir sprechen: Englisch, Deutsch, Arabisch, Französisch, Spanisch, Portugiesisch, Tschechisch.
Du kannst dich auch in anderen Sprachen melden, dann versuchen wir eine Übersetzung zu organisieren.
Was wir wollen
Wir von Copwatch Leipzig wollen die Polizei, wie wir sie bisher kennen, abschaffen und durch andere Mechanismen zur Herstellung von “Sicherheit” und “Gerechtigkeit” ersetzen. Die aus US-amerikanischen Black Power Bewegungen hervorgegangene Forderung “Abolish The Police!” ist keine einfache Reform, die sich ohne notwendige gesellschaftliche Veränderungen vollziehen kann. Kapitalismus und Nationalstaat, als die von der Polizei zu schützende sog. „Sicherheit und Ordnung“ müssen daher ebenso überwunden werden, wie wir solidarische Mechanismen im Umgang mit Gewalt und Konflikten in unseren Communities entwickeln müssen. Der Abolishing-Ansatz ist also eingebettet in einen gesamtgesellschaftlichen Transformationsprozess, zu dem wir gemeinsam erste Schritte wagen wollen.
„Kriminalität“, deren Bekämpfung die Kernaufgabe der Polizei ist, ist zumeist ein Ausdruck sozialer Probleme, die oft aus einer sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Ungleichheit herrühren. Wir engagieren uns daher gegen jede Form von Diskriminierung und Unterdrückung, sei sie sexistisch, rassistisch, klassistisch, antisemitisch, queerfeindlich oder ableistisch motiviert. Diese antikapitalistische und intersektionale Kritik an unserer Gesellschaft ist uns sehr wichtig und ist grundlegend für unsere Polizeikritik.
Ein konkretes Konzept, wie wir die Polizei mittelfristig abschaffen wollen und was dafür an gesellschaftlichen Voraussetzungen notwendig ist, findet ihr hier: https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/2021/04/23/ein-konzept-zur-abschaffung-der-polizei-in-deutschland/
Was wir machen
Wir möchten eine Anlaufstelle für Betroffene bieten. Dazu kann eine Mail mit den Erfahrungen, die Menschen gemacht haben, an uns geschrieben werden, damit wir die Fälle von diskriminierenden oder sonstigen rechtswidrigen Kontrollen dokumentieren und sammeln. (Was du dabei beachten solltest, kannst du hier nachlesen: https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/2021/04/18/wie-schreibe-ich-ein-gedachtnisprotokoll/)
Niemand sollte mit diesen Erfahrungen allein gelassen werden und wir wollen die Organisierung gegen die bestehenden Zustände fördern. Sofern es gewünscht und möglich ist, kann auch ein persönliches Gespräch stattfinden, um den Ablauf der Kontrolle besser zu erfassen oder auch um emotionale Unterstützung anzubieten.
Wir können dann entweder gemeinsam einen Bericht über den Vorfall auf unserem Blog veröffentlichen oder du schreibst einen kleinen Gastbeitrag aus deiner Perspektive.
Außerdem können wir Kontakt zu Rechtsanwält*innen, Journalist*innen oder anderen Beratungs- und Dokumentationsstellen herstellen.
Wir wollen zum Empowerment (nicht selbst) Betroffener fördern. Dazu sollen Texte, die Plakate, Flyer und Workshops beitragen. Welche rechtlichen Grundlagen für polizeiliches Handeln gibt es? Wie kann ich am besten in eine Kontrolle intervenieren? Wir wollen als Betroffene und Unterstützer*innen gemeinsam lernen, wie wir dem staatlichen Gewaltmonopol entgegentreten können.
Hier findest du einige unserer Materialien:
https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/wie-intervenieren/
https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/was-darf-die-polizei-was-darf-ich/
Uns ist es wichtig Druck auf die Polizei aufzubauen, in Verknüpfung mit einer radikalen Kritik an der repressiven Politik und dem ausgrenzenden System dahinter.
Rechte und rechtswidrig handelnde Polizist*innen dürfen sich nicht länger sicher in den sog. Sicherheitsapparaten fühlen. Daher rufen wir zur solidarischen Begleitung von Polizeikontrollen auf und fordern längst überfällige realpolitische Reformen, um überhaupt erst mal einen rechtsstaatlich/demokratischen Minimalstandard zu erreichen. Dies stellt unserer Meinung nach auch keinen Widerspruch zu unserem grundsätzlich abolitionistischen Ansatz dar.
Wir verstehen uns als Teil einer internationalen linken Bewegung und wollen verschiedene Kämpfe miteinander verbinden. Deswegen ist auch Vernetzung ein wichtiger Bestandteil unserer Arbeit. Auch über die Bewegung hinaus wollen wir uns aktiv in Diskussionen über unsere Gesellschaft einbringen. Dabei stellen wir insbesondere die Rolle der Polizei und ihre vermeintliche Alternativlosigkeit infrage.
Einen kleinen Überblick über unsere Aktivitäten gibt es hier: https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/dates/
Wofür wir außerdem immer angefragt werden können:
Zum Beispiel Interviews, Redebeiträge, Texte, Workshops, Demo-Support, Demo-Beobachtung, Teilnahme an Vernetzungstreffen, Konferenzen und Veranstaltungen
Selbstbeschreibung 500 Zeichen (für Presse):
Copwatch Leipzig ist eine linksradikale Gruppe, die zu Polizei, autoritärer Entwicklung, Racial Profiling, Polizeigewalt, Protest Policing & Transformative Justice arbeitet. Sie wollen eine Anlaufstelle für Betroffene von rechtswidriger & diskriminierender Polizeiarbeit sein. Sie machen Bildungsarbeit, um Polizeikontrollen kritisch zu begleiten und um über Rechte, sowie polizeiliche Befugnisse Bescheid zu wissen. Sie setzen sich gegen jede Art von Diskriminierung & staatliche Unterdrückung ein.
(all quoted sources are on our blog in English as well)
Who we are
We are a radical left group of activists from Leipzig.
Our main topics are authoritarian developments, state discrimination especially racial profiling, police violence, right-wing structures in the so-called security apparatus, police work/scandals, protest policing, social security, transformative justice, community organizing, alternatives to the police and gun prohibition zones (“Waffenverbotszone”).
In doing so, we connect to an international network of Copwatch groups. The first one was founded in 1990 in Berkeley, USA: https://www.berkeleycopwatch.org/history. There are other Copwatch groups in Germany in Frankfurt (https://copwatchffm.org/) and Hamburg (https://copwatchhamburg.blackblogs.org/).
You want to participate in our work or have questions? Then just send us an email.
We speak: English, German, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Czech.
You can also contact us in other languages, then we try to organize a translation.
What we want
We from Copwatch Leipzig want to abolish the police as we know it so far and replace it with other mechanisms to establish “security” and “justice”. The demand “Abolish The Police!” that emerged from US Black Power movements is not a simple reform that can take place without necessary social changes. Capitalism and the national state, as the so-called “security and order” to be protected by the police, must therefore be overcome, just as we must develop solidarity-based mechanisms for dealing with violence and conflict in our communities. The abolishing approach is thus embedded in a process of transformation of society as a whole, towards which we want to take the first steps together.
“Crime,” the main task of the police, is mostly an expression of social problems, often stemming from social and economic inequality. We are therefore committed to opposing any form of discrimination and oppression, be it sexist, racist, classist, anti-Semitic, queerphobic or ableist. This anti-capitalist and intersectional critique of our society is very important to us and fundamental for our critique of the police.
A concrete concept of how we want to abolish the police in the medium term and what social preconditions are necessary for this can be found here: https://copwatchleipzighome.files.wordpress.com/2021/04/concept_abolish-the-police_version1.pdf
What we do
We would like to offer a contact point for those affected by unlawful or unsocial behaviour of police. To do this, you can send us a mail with the experiences people have had, so that we can document and collect cases of discriminatory or other unlawful controls. (You can read about what you should consider here: https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/2021/04/18/wie-schreibe-ich-ein-gedachtnisprotokoll/).
No one should be left alone with these experiences and we want to encourage organizing against the existing conditions. If it is desired and possible, a personal conversation can also take place to better understand the process of the control or to offer emotional support.
We can then either jointly publish a report about the incident on our blog or you can write a small guest post from your perspective.
In addition, we can establish contact with lawyers, journalists or other counseling and documentation centers.
We want to promote the empowerment of those affected and supporters. Texts, posters, flyers and workshops will contribute to this. What is the legal basis for police action? How can I best intervene in a control? We want to learn together as affected and supporters how we can counter the state’s monopoly on the use of force.
Here you can find some of our materials:
https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/wie-intervenieren/
https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/was-darf-die-polizei-was-darf-ich/
It is important for us to build up pressure on the police, in connection with a radical critique of the repressive politics and the exclusionary system behind it.
Right-wing and illegally acting police officers must no longer feel safe in the so-called security apparatuses. Therefore, we call for the solidary accompaniment of police controls and demand long overdue real political reforms in order to achieve a minimum standard of the rule of law/democracy in the first place. We don’t see this as a contradiction to our abolitionist demands.
We see ourselves as part of an international left movement and want to connect different struggles. Therefore, networking is an important part of our work. We also want to actively participate in discussions about our society beyond the movement. In particular, we question the role of the police and their supposed lack of alternatives.
A small overview of our activities can be found here: https://copwatchleipzig.home.blog/dates/.
What else we can always be asked for:
For example, interviews, speeches, texts, workshops, demo support, demo observation, participation in networking meetings, conferences and events.
Self-description for press:
Copwatch Leipzig is a radical left group working on police, authoritarian development, racial profiling, police violence, protest policing & transformative justice. They want to be a contact point for those affected by unlawful & discriminatory policing. They do educational work to critically accompany police checks and to know about rights, as well as police powers. They stand up against any kind of discrimination and state oppression.
*English below*
Hier sollen eine Reihe von hilfreichen Links gesammelt werden, die sich mit dem Thema Rassismus, racial profiling und Polizeipraxis auseinandersetzen.
Polizei und Rassismus
Rassismus durchzieht die ganze Gesellschaft. Auch die Polizei ist nicht frei davon:
Bericht eines jungen Polizisten über Korpsgeist und Rassismus:
https://www.jetzt.de/politik/rassismus-in-der-polizei-ein-junger-polizist-berichtet
Interessante Urteile
Racial profiling:
Grundsatzentscheidung – Rechtswidrigkeit der Befragung und Kontrolle einzig bzw. ausschlaggebend wegen der Hautfarbe des Klägers als rechtswidrig und gegen das Diskriminierungsverbot aus Art. 3 Abs. 3 GG verstoßend
https://www.buzzfeed.com/de/marcusengert/racial-profiling-urteil-kontrollen-bundespolizei?utm_term=.wtn5yGnzk#.clbOnmN48
Mehr Infos dazu unter:
http://anwaltskanzlei-adam.de/index.php?id=36,1362,0,0,1,0
http://www.anwaltskanzlei-adam.de/index.php?sonderseiten-vg-koblenz-presseinformationen
Eine ganze Menge Urteile und Kommentare dazu findest du bei unseren friends der BürgerInnen beobachten Polizei und Justiz:
https://www.buerger-beobachten-polizei.de/rechtliches/urteile
Interventionen in Kontrollen
Fotografieren von Polizist*innen:
Here you will find a number of helpful links dealing with racism, racial profiling and police practice.
Racism permeates the whole of society. Also the police is not free of it:
https://www.antifainfoblatt.de/artikel/polizei-und-rassismus-%E2%80%93-against-the-legendary-single-single-suffering-%C3%A4lle
Report of a young policeman about corps spirit and racism:
https://www.jetzt.de/politik/rassismus-in-der-polizei-ein-junger-polizist-berichtet
Racial profiling:
Fundamental decision – illegality of the questioning and control solely or decisively due to the plaintiff’s skin colour as illegal and violating the prohibition of discrimination under Article 3 of the Grundgesetz (German constitution)
https://www.buzzfeed.com/de/marcusengert/racial-profiling-urteil-kontrollen-bundespolizei?utm_term=.wtn5yGnzk#.clbOnmN48
More infos:
http://anwaltskanzlei-adam.de/index.php?id=36,1362,0,0,1,0
http://www.anwaltskanzlei-adam.de/index.php?sonderseiten-vg-koblenz-presseinformationen
A lot of judgments and comments can be found at our friends of citizens observe police and justice:
https://www.buerger-beobachten-polizei.de/rechtliches/urteile
Photographing police(wo)men:
The area of Eisenbahnstraße was declared as Waffenverbotszone (= Weapon free zone) on 5th of November 2018 after it as already been considered as a control area. This declaration gives the police the possibility to control people without any suspicion or reason because there is the power by “dangerous places” through the police law. This qualification is an intransperant and problematical process.
More information at Reports.
Mostly affected by those controls are people the police considers to be from a foreign county. The selection based by the appearance of a person is called racial profiling. It is discriminating because it categorizes people as „criminal“ based on the looking. Racism characterizes our society and therefore it is also part of the public institutions. Especially this is shown by police walking on the streets. Based on their reputed „treasure of experiences“ they try to find criminalized behavior more often done by people with a background of migration or fleeing.
To deny this „treasure of experiences“ is not really possible but it has to be pointed out why there is this appearance that people without German citizenship behave more criminal.
Firstly, because of racist stereotypes these people get controlled more often. Obviously that crimes can be found more often within “them”.
Secondly, people with a background of migration often live in precarious situation BECAUSE they often get discriminated. So often they don‘t have any other chance to sell drugs or steel. That a missing work permit or too less welfare support is the reason for that, the criminal statistics don‘t show. Another cause is that there are many crimes which can only be commited by „strangers“ like a lack of a residents permit.
Racial profiling violates the prohibition of discrimination and the principle of equality contained in Article 3 of the Grundgesetz (constitution of the German state). Accordingly, it can also be asserted in court in the event of a violation by state authorities. However, this cannot be sufficient, because racism is a social problem which we must combat in our immediate environment, in social media and in society as a whole.
Besides racism there are other forms of discrimination such as antiromaism and transphobic which can be also seen in the acting of the police.
In order to make a contribution against racism in your immediate environment, you can intervene in a police control. In the following, some tips will be given on how to behave.
The aim of an intervention should be to show solidarity with those affected and to symbolize to the police that there is a critical public, so that they cannot do what they want unobserved.
But don’t put yourself in danger and refrain from physical actions against cops (§113 StGB). Don’t patronize those affected and don’t take this as a stage to get some street credits.
Also do not try to defend the person because often you have no knowledge about them and a violation of a law you can not deny with certainty. It is usually not the criminalized behavior of the person that is vulnerable, but the legality of the police’s actions. This includes disproportionality, violation of Article 3 Grundgesetz and the fact that they provide assistance to those affected (see below).
Also a further support of friends of the affected persons can be helpful if they are overtaxed with the situation.
What should not be the goal is to prevent at all costs that the person is taken along. If, for example, the personal data of the person cannot be determined, then there is the corresponding legal basis in the Saxon police law.
The following paragraph will now deal with stages of intervention.
First of all, get an overview of the situation. To do this, you can first observe from a distance who is being controlled, what is being searched and what the mood of control is.
You can also talk to other people standing around or friends of the affected person and act together with them.
You have some time and dare? Then take a closer look and symbolize to the affected person and the police that you are there and want to become an active part of the action.
Speak now actively the affected person and offer to them your support. There is a legal basis for it in § 14 paragraph 4 sentence 1 Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz (Administrative Procedure Act). Thus you can become the assistance of the affected person by simply agreeing to your question. This exists because of the requirement of a fair trial and is derived from the principle of the rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights (EU). In contrast to a deputy, you are not a representative, but “only” for (moral) support, in that you can act together. So everything you say is considered to have been presented by those affected if they do not object immediately. Anyone can become an adviser. A rejection by the police is only possible under very strict conditions. For example, in the case of unsuitability: there must be intellectual (lack of expertise) or emotional (personal attacks) reasons for this. Don’t be so quick to get rid of yourself, because this is a very strong instrument to accompany the control critically and to give the affected person the feeling of not being alone. The police may not send you away because of “disturbance of the measure” and if they try it nevertheless: contradict!
Now it can really start: does the person have language problems and needs a translation? Should someone be informed?
Tell the person that he or she has the right to ask for the name and service number of the police (wo)men. The legal basis for this is § 8 sentence 1 SächsPolG (Saxon police law).
At the latest after the declaration of assistance, the cops will also become aware of you. Ask calmly and friendly about the occasion, the legal basis and the suspicion for the control (even if they don’t need it anymore when establishing a weapon free zone).
Point them towards the prohibition of discriminatory controls. Article 3 Grundgesetz and the Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (General Equal Treatment Act) give you legal bases for this. If they have no legal basis (or suspicion), the control is inadmissible and illegal. You can ask them to stop the control and to delete all collected data.
If they also want to collect your data, only what is written on your identity card is obligatory to say. They cannot legally prosecute you for assistance as long as you do not become insulting or physical. Do not engage in provocation or intimidation! Oberserving police is definitly legal (https://www.buerger-beobachten-polizei.de/beobachter-rechtlicher-status/verwaltungsgericht-freiburg-bestaetigt-recht-auf-polizeibeobachtung)
As you progress, you can take pictures of the situation. You should prepare yourself so that cops can stress out when they see that. The legal situation with regard to photographing police(wo)men is difficult because they are the focus of the photograph as individuals and therefore, like everyone else, are protected by the “right to one’s own image”. However, you can argue that evidences are documented here and especially when physical violence is used by the police, there is therefore a public interest in the recording. All in all difficult, also because your camera or mobile phone can be confiscated. You can find a recommendable, but German, article on this at: https://www.rechtambild.de/2013/04/vorsicht-beim-fotografieren-von-polizisten/ and https://www.buerger-beobachten-polizei.de/rechtliches/rechtshilfe-demotipps#filmen.
Collect data from witnesses who are also observing the situation in order to later have evidence of the progress of the control.
You can also get loud and generate attention from outsiders. This will certainly annoy and unsettle the cops because they are now controlled by a wider public in their work.
When the cops have left and the control is over you should follow up on what happened. You don’t need to have a guilty conscience that you couldn’t be a “real” help by preventing the control.
Our goal is usually already achieved through critical accompaniment and solidarity. Often we cannot do more, but it makes a decisive contribution to a neighbourhood based on solidarity.
Write now a Mail with a memory protocol and further questions, which you have, to kriminellistdassystem@riseup.net. Remember the arguments of the police. This will help you to prepare for the next time.
Racism and repression have never solved problems, only created new ones. To address the problems of the neighbourhood, different strategies are needed. As already mentioned above, many conflicts such as drug trafficking and theft can be traced back to structural inequality in the capitalist national state, so that this should be the starting point for criticism of local conditions.
By treating each other in solidarity, we can create perspectives for shaping one’s own life freely. This also means that nobody is discriminated against on the basis of origin, gender, sexual orientation or identity or economic status and that we intervene when we experience such behaviour.
The introduction of the weapon free zone is part of an expansion of state repression that can be observed both nationwide. The legal basis should be created by new police laws in almost all federal states (click here for the blog of the alliance against the Saxon Police Law: https://polizeigesetz-stoppen.de/ and https://keinpolizeigesetz.noblogs.org/). This not only means an increase in equipment, but also an expansion of police powers.
Although crime statistics refute this, an image of the Eisenbahnstraße as the “most dangerous street in Germany” is maintained. This increases social tolerance for repressive measures (control, surveillance, persecution). How far state structures can go to restrict freedoms and take rights until civil society comes up against them is first tried out in criminalised groups (e.g. football fans) and places. The fact that our district is also very migrant and alternative in character increases the interest of the authorities to control the streets and everything that happens, everything that lives.
We want to focus on the police as the repressive organ of a state that has a monopoly on the use of force and is therefore powerfully opposed to (almost) every person. This power is often used and especially in the course of left antifascist demonstrations, critical of capitalism and it comes again and again to police violence on demonstrators, press and medics. A lack of an independent complaints office also means that cops hardly have to reckon with consequences if they act disproportionately violently and/or discriminatory. Particularly with regard to migrants, they weigh themselves in the certainty that those affected will not file a complaint for fear of losing an already often insecure residence permit. This leads to numerous assaults.
In addition, it is known, especially through the Saxon police, that many officials with a right-wing/racist/national conservative attitude are among them, as shown not least by the order of a tank with Nazi emblems and the incidents during Pegida demonstrations. There is no doubt that their political opinion also influences their actions as police (wo)men.
Our commitment against discrimination stands in the context of a critique of the authoritarian development of society, which takes place both at the legal level (Police Law) and through civil society (mobilization of Nazis on 26 & 27 August 18 in Chemnitz, AfD election results).
“Kriminell ist das System – nicht wir“ (Criminal is the system – not us), as a self-organized campaign, works on three different points of reference:
We want to provide a point of contact for those affected. Therefore an e-mail can be sent to us with the experiences people have made, so that we can document the cases of discriminatory controls. Nobody should be left alone with these experiences and we want to promote the organization against the existing conditions. If it is desired and possible, a personal discussion can also take place in order to better understand the process of the control and also to offer emotional support. The anonymised results can also be used to exert pressure on the relevant authorities and to problematise racist practice, anonymised of course.
Secondly, we want to promote empowerment for those affected and supporters. This text, posters and workshops are intended to contribute to this. What is the legal basis for police action? How can I best intervene in a control? We also want to learn together how we can counter the state monopoly on the use of force.
And thirdly, it is important for us to build up pressure on the police, and this in connection with a radical criticism of the repressive policy and the exclusionary system behind it.
What kind of beautiful district would it be if, at every discriminatory police check a group of people immediately showed solidarity with those affected by stopping and intervening? The barrier of inhibition for cops to carry out controls will be higher if they then have to justify themselves constantly and are observed in their work.
We therefore call for not letting racist police control happen unhindered. Go, comment, criticise. And support each other!
We stand together against any kind of discrimination and authoritarian developments.
You would like to take part in the campaign or have questions? Then just send us an email.
CopWatch Leipzig 
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