Neo-nazi zones in Berlin

[DimSumMetal]

Are there any places in berlin I won't want to visit (or visit at night) if I don't want to encounter nazis? I'm going there for a vacation soon and I don't want any trouble.
I know that there are a lot of anti-fascists in Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg but are there places where it works the other way around?

[Sasha]

There are honestly not very many Nazis at all in Germany. They take that shit very seriously, and as a people, I believe most of them feel horrible for what their grandfathers did.
You would be more likely to run across Nazis in the U.S, Britain, or even Russia.

Dont say shit if you dont know what you are talking about, it gets people killed.

Yes, there are certainly no go area's in Berlin but contrary to places in the east or towns in the rurh area like Dortmund these neighbourhoods are not centrally located, hold no sightseeing sites of note etc etc so you are not really likely to stumble into them by accident. I believe reinickendorf is the most notable problem area.
If you travel alone just don't wear any visible political stuff on public transport you should be alright. Make drinking a beer in the Kopi ( http://koepi137.net/) a priority and ask while your still sober one of local kids to point out the iffy areas on a a map if you want to go and explore town.
There isn't really a reason though to go anywhere but kreutzbergh and freidrichshein if your only on a short holiday.
If you want to make sure you want to meet up some cool antifa (and not by accident some hardcore anti-deutsche) seek contact with this crew beforehand, they are cool: http://nea.antifa.de/

[Nevsky]

Berlin is a pretty harmless city for foreigners to visit (in terms of racism). I visited two times and there were lots of antifa-left wingers and it's generally a pretty liberal city. At my last visit there was a massive antifa demonstration right at the Brandenburger Gate. I even took a photo with a funny guy dressed up as soviet soldier with a communist flag who was posing around there for tourists (they had an US soldier, too but he didn't interest me, obviously).

[Sasha]

A useful page if you can read some German: http://www.antifa-berlin.info/

[G4b3n]

Dont say shit if you dont know what you are talking about, it gets people killed.

Yes, there are certainly no go area's in Berlin but contrary to places in the east or towns in the rurh area like Dortmund these neighbourhoods are not centrally located, hold no sightseeing sites of note etc etc so you are not really likely to stumble into them by accident. I believe reinickendorf is the most notable problem area.
If you travel alone just don't wear any visible political stuff on public transport you should be alright. Make drinking a beer in the Kopi ( http://koepi137.net/) a priority and ask while your still sober one of local kids to point out the iffy areas on a a map if you want to go and explore town.
There isn't really a reason though to go anywhere but kreutzbergh and freidrichshein if your only on a short holiday.
If you want to make sure you want to meet up some cool antifa (and not by accident some hardcore anti-deutsche) seek contact with this crew beforehand, they are cool: http://nea.antifa.de/

I have never actually been to Berlin myself but I have talked to multiple citizens and visitors, they make it sound like the problem is non existent. I am sorry if I provided inaccurate information.

[Sasha]

For tourists that stay in the tourist getto's all is fine, and also for citizens Berlin is a lot better than many other German towns, but if you are identifiable as a minority or a leftist there are certainly places, bars, venues, parks etc you don't want to stumble arround alone, out of your comfort zone at night.
My Berlin friends don't pack an arsenal if they go to town like my friends in dortmund or rostock do but a retractable batton or pepperspray is not on common either...

But no sweat, just think before you post stuff to certainly..

[Flying Purple People Eater]

Is it true that it's dangerous for non-white people to go travelling in East Germany?

My friend went there once on a couchsurf of sorts, and he said that the whole fucking town he stayed in was covered in white power graffiti and shit.

[Yet_Another_Boring_Marxist]

When I went to Speyer, I saw Anti-Fascista graffi everywhere, it was almost as if they were a street gang claiming their territory. I've never seen so many hammer and sickles in my life

[The Guy]

Berlin is one of the most left-wing cities on the planet. You have to understand that Berliners are generally like this and are known to be quite expressive and outspoken. Oh, and there are no no-go areas in Berlin! That would be... Mental.

You will see communist symbols, Antifa stickers and left-wing graffiti on EVERY street corner in the city - guaranteed!

As a Berliner myself, here's a little guide:

Left-wing Places

Mitte: a nice suburb of Berlin where you will generally find many suburbs and a nice mix of Germans & foreigners. There's no trouble in Mitte at all. Perhaps you'll come across a few tourists, especially at Alexanderplatz, but it's as harmless as a wet sock.

Kreuzberg: a VERY famous part of the city. Although in some places run-down (i.e. Kottbusser Tor), this place was dominated by Nazis in the '80s until Antifa came along and ran them out. Here you'll find 2 ANTIFA shops: one named Red Stuff and another is the most unique indie ANTIFA shop I've ever seen. You'll also find a St. Pauli/Babelsberg fan shop if you're into anti-fascist football.

Friedrichshain: Although this area is run down as well, it does boast a very nice mix of Germans & foreigners too. There is quite a large ANTIFA presence but... Well, read the next section!

Babelsberg: Although JUST outside the state of Berlin, thanks to it's ultra-left football team, Babelsberg is generally a safe haven for left-wingers in the notoriously right-wing state of Brandenburg. Very nice little town to visit and you can get there using Berlin's S-Bahn (overground train).

Known Neo-Nazi Areas

Marzahn: A part of Friedrichshain. Here there is a known presence of NPD/Nazis in the area. Obviously they're not flaunting it but it's generally referred to in a conversation if Nazis come up.

Köpenick: Home to 1. FC Union Berlin, it's been known to house a few Nazis. They've tried getting in with the crowd at matches only to be pushed back out.

Brandenburg: The state surrounding Berlin. The further you go out of Berlin, the further right-wing people become. In Brandenburg's towns and villages, you'll 100% find neo-Nazis or just NPD supporters flying a German flag on every pole they can find.

Hope the picture below of Antifa Berlin answers your question. Have a great time! ;)1

http://stickerkitty.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/2011berlin_149.jpg

[DimSumMetal]

Kreuzberg: a VERY famous part of the city. Although in some places run-down (i.e. Kottbusser Tor), this place was dominated by Nazis in the '80s red to in a conversation if Nazis come up.
]

What does "run-down" mean? you use that sometimes but i'm not sure I know the meaning.
So, basicly my "problem" is that my only hoodies (yeah, it's summer but don't forget I come from the middle east, it's much hotter here so I need warmer clothes) are political, one has a circle-A on it and the other is red with a black star behind.
I will walk 95% of the time with a friend there, do you think it'll cause any trouble?
I will stay in a part of the city that I think is very antifascist (Kinzigstraße, not far from Frankfurter allee).
Most of my time i'll just go to shows and go back, maybe tour a little in the city.

[The Guy]

What does "run-down" mean? you use that sometimes but i'm not sure I know the meaning.
So, basicly my "problem" is that my only hoodies (yeah, it's summer but don't forget I come from the middle east, it's much hotter here so I need warmer clothes) are political, one has a circle-A on it and the other is red with a black star behind.
I will walk 95% of the time with a friend there, do you think it'll cause any trouble?
I will stay in a part of the city that I think is very antifascist (Kinzigstraße, not far from Frankfurter allee).
Most of my time i'll just go to shows and go back, maybe tour a little in the city.

Run-down generally means something looks outdated, dirty and old. Not that Berlin is dirty but some parts need the walls painting, redecorating or just a bit of love.

For example, a lot of doorways tend to look like this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3236221033_2d716d097f_m.jpg

Anyway, as for your clothes, that'll be fine. Berlin's seriously a hub for it all. It's not uncommon to see people wearing that sort of stuff, especially Antifa buttons/pins on bags or hats. You'll be at home. ;)1

[DimSumMetal]

Run-down generally means something looks outdated, dirty and old. Not that Berlin is dirty but some parts need the walls painting, redecorating or just a bit of love.

For example, a lot of doorways tend to look like this:

Anyway, as for your clothes, that'll be fine. Berlin's seriously a hub for it all. It's not uncommon to see people wearing that sort of stuff, especially Antifa buttons/pins on bags or hats. You'll be at home. ;)1

Thanks! :)
By the way, big like for Betselem in the signature

[Anarchist Skinhead]

I would say avoid Lichtenberg (not that I can imaginr a lot of reasosn to visit that shithole anyway). Other that that as the poster above wrote ;)