Houses for those who need it!

Since several months we are experiencing that hundreds of thousands of refugees are challenging the borders of fortress Europe.  Without legal ways to migrate people will continue to risk their life for the hope of a humane life. Tens of thousands have become active to support refugees on their way or during their arrival. At the same time one of the wealthiest countries on earth is erecting tent cities and container villages. The creators of this artificial state of emergency are actively promoting the dehumanization of refugees. This creates a fertile ground for right-wing arsonists. Against all talk of „aslyum crisis“ and „overburdening of the state“ we as supporters of refugees have shown what it means to act in a humane way.

People from several shelters report a lack of even the most basic things like food and sanitary  products – a life in dignity is not possible like this! Isolated from the rest of society without any opportunities to learn the language, to work or to organize their time by themselves, these people have to spend their time in camps which wear them down, physically and emotionally, and make them sick. This is the reality, also for refugees in Leipzig. It is a scandal that there are 22000 empty flats in this town. If the city would have lived up to its aspirations, refugees could decide on their own in which flat they want to live. This would not only be cheaper, but it would also take away targets from the racists.

If the federal government is using the anti-racist slogan “Refugee Welcome” this can only be regarded as hypocrisy in the face of its real policies. With the most recent deterioration of the right of asylum several improvements for which refugees successfully struggled over the last few years got nullified and a wave of deportations  is being prepared.

With the few means which are available to refugees they support each other and try to lead a self-determined life although they are faced with severe limitations. Volunteers try to make the life in the camps a little more endurable, battle the cabin fever and organize language courses, offer sport and law counseling. The ones who are not invited to talk shows have to use means like hunger strikes or demonstrations to be heard by the people. However without a necessary space all these efforts are futile.

We showed solidarity where the state failed: We have greeted people at the train stations, gathered and distributed donations. We have spend many nights in front of camps to protect them from racist attacks. But this will not be enough! In the winter at latest nobody can escape from the narrowness of the camps through sports in the park.Right now, rooms for counseling, leisure and culture are already a scarce good.

This is why we need a place:

• That can be shaped and determined by everyone, away from administration through offices and security services!
• At which people with and without papers
  are not getting separated!
• At which especially people in need of protection,
  such as women, children, homosexuals
  and transgender (LGBT) people find a safe space!
• At which we will gather counseling services
  and will have possibilities for sports and language courses, for discussions and collective cooking!
• At which we can organize our political concerns
  and we can have a voice for ourselves!

We are no politicians and have no more time for waiting. There are lots of empty buildings which are suitable for such a project. We demand from the city that they shall give us a building or we will take it ourselves!

Social Center for All – Now! [november 2015]