Why Dortmund?
Dortmund has been known for its Nazi-problem for years. The so-called “Nationale Antikriegstag” (“national anti-war day”) has, like the fascist “commemoration” of the bombardement of Dresden, nationwide relevance for the Nazi-scene. Also Dortmund Nazi groupings like the “Nationale Widerstand Dortmund” / NWDO (“national resistance”) and the “Skinhead Front Dortmund” have repeatedly attracted attention by offensive actions and armed assaults. In the Dortmund district of Dorstfeld Neo-Nazi structures have over the years been able to spread through shared flats and the “Nationale Zentrum” (“national center”).
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Our Perspective
We would like to emphasize that Antisemitism and racist discrimination far exceed the aggression of (government-financed as well as unfunded) Nazi structures. Antifascist resistance must therefore deal with every-day racism in government authorities, e.g. in refugee politics, as these conditions exist only because of the deep roots of racism in society. A starting point for criticism can be found in cooperation with migrants’ initiatives, e.g. in the Dortmund Nordstadt, where after repeated anti-Gypsy media coverage the situation of sex-workers, which was precarious enough before, has been further aggravated. In their public protests, they denounced that media coverage above all to be the cause of the lack of protection against violent-prone customers, blackmailing by pimps, and the loss of their independence.
We would be glad if it was sufficient to say: “Ban Sexism”. But we want to go against gender-related role-clichés not only “out there ” but among ourselves, too, and that does not stop at the criticism of obvious oppression. If we try to overcome the differences between men and women in society, that means to become aware also of the “invisible”, apparently undisputed hierarchies and privileges. By also treating the (social) questions of impoverishment and discrimination offensively, we want to regain public ground in order not to leave the field to those (un-) social Nazi protests against lousy working conditions and “Hartz IV”.
In addition we call on everyone to join us in our fight to stand up against the public notion of 1st September as Anti-War-Day in the Fascist context but instead to establish it as a day of anti-militarist commemoration. If we take the Oath of Buchenwald seriously, Anti-Militarism and Anti-Fascism must be seen together. We will only weaken our cause and not be able to change society fundamentally if we remain segregated in movements with a too narrow focus.
...an Ambitious Project
…which must be based on well-reflected concepts in many fields. Adapting these to the situation in Dortmund will be in the focus of our preparatory work.
The camp is designed as a signal of an Anti-fascist surge against the Dortmund status quo. We move forward with nationwide support in radical but widespread actions to confront the Nazis in their core preparation-period for their “National Anti-War Day” and will spoil their demonstration for them.
We will welcome anyone to join us who cares for an undogmatic radical Anti-Fascist resistance.
Antifa camp in Dortmund, Germany (8/24 - 9/2)
