Created: Sunday, 26 January 2014 14:34

Statement regarding the current situation

Throughout the last days we were repeatedly asked what we think of the current developments in Dresden. After the Nazis announced publically that they don't want to march anymore but to hold stationary rally instead, some newspapers already declared the Nazi-farewell for Dresden. Inevitably, this lead to doubts what is going to happen on this year's Feb 13^th in Dresden. We therefore want to give you our point of view regarding this matter.
"Say what you do and do what you say" -- this was and is our motto. It is due this motto that we want to tell you in advance what we plan and expect for Feb 13^th , so that all of us are prepared for the day. As usual, we would like to emphasise though that this may change in due course. It is, for example, depending on the ongoing debate between the Nazis and the city's authorities. So please stay aware and follow us on our website, facebook or twitter.

Currently, the following rallys and marches are announced towards the city's authorities:

For Feb 13^th , the human chain, which is supposed to be built from 5 pm onwards and to be closed between 6 pm and 6:15 pm, and the announcement of the Nazis to gather on the "Neumarkt" directly in front of the church of our lady ("Frauenkirche") are known. However, this place is right in the area which is especially protected by the -- controversial -- saxon law for demonstrations and remembrance sites. Regardless of what we think of the law, it does influence the announced gatherings and rallys of the day. It is up to speculation why the Nazis deliberately conflict with the law and provoke taking this matter to the court. The only certainty is that the reasoning given on well-known Nazi homepages are not real and only stated to disguise their true reasoning. What matters is that we have to be prepared for 2 possible scenarios:
a) The city prohibits the gathering on the Neumarkt and that this remains standing at the following trial or b) the city prohibits it but the court allows the gathering afterwards anyway. Even then the Nazis won't be able to gather there since other groups, e.g. the church, announced their on rally on the very same site. Logically, the Nazis would have to be given an alternative spot in the city centre where it is uncertain how they plan to reach it.

We plan to do the following:

Independent of any Nazi statement will hold our own march for traces of offenders (Täterspurenmahngang) will take place in a way that everyone will be able come along and move around freely in the city centre afterwards. Hence, whoever is able to be in town from 2 pm is invited to come along. It is a declared and legal demonstration which you are entitled to go to in case the police tries to stop you. From 2:30 pm the opening rally will start with the actual demonstration to be on the move from 3 pm onwards. It is supposed to end at the main station between 5:30 and 6 pm. Currently, this seems like a perfect spot to reach eventual blockades against Nazis afterwards easily. We recommend anyone who cannot be around for the demonstration mentioned or is not interested in it, to be in the area of the city centre as early as possible. Additionally, a demonstration of the student union of the TU Dresden (StuRa) will start 4:40 pm from Munich square (Münchner Platz) and will also lead to the main station -- this may be of special interest to all students having exams beforehand. As usual, details of places where we ask people to go to will be announced 2 days ahead of Feb 13^th.

Why it is important to be on the streets in Dresden:

1. The switch of the Nazis towards a stationary rally is mainly a tactical decision of which the outcome is unknown and dependent on many factors. It might as well just be a sophisticated try get a march in the end. We are prepared for that but can block an eventual march only by the means of many people on the streets.
2. Even if there will be no march but a stationary rally only, it would still be important to give the Nazis not even the slightest sign of victory in Dresden. We have the chance to end the Nazi spook in Dresden's streets at least for Feb 13^th once and for all if we manage to stop their last bits of action left by hindering also a rally. This must be the goal for all of us.
3. Many people joining us on the streets is also sign towards the Saxon authorities with their repression and continuing criminalisation of our antifascist commitment. The trials against Lothar, Tim, Bodo Ramelow or Markus Tervooren of VVN-BdA and other fellow antifascists are still ongoing. If you join us on the streets, you also signal solidarity with us against political justice and repression.
4. The last reason may just be the best one: On Feb, 13^th we have the chance to top our established Nazi blockades of the recent years with an extraordinary success. We sealed the fate of the former largest Nazi march in Europe in 2012. The torch march on Feb, 13^th followed in 2013. If we manage to see a year where we even mess up with their rally or don't see them at all, then our motto came true: Dresden Nazifrei! (Dresden Nazi-free). Of course, such thing would have to be celebrated this with a big party where mainy cheerful guests would be essential. Here, we also count on all of you.