Hundreds of dancing in Hameln against violence: set a strong sign!

On February 14, 2025, an impressive dance flash mob in Hameln took place under the motto "One Billion Rising", which was directed against violence against women. This flash mob was staged on the terrace of the wedding house and attracted a good 100 participants, including students from the Wilhelm Raabe School and the IGS West. The organizers, Britta Bödecker from the Wilhelm-Raabe School and Rebecca Niemeyer from the Rosenbusch dance house, set a strong signal against femalitis, which cost 101 women in Germany last year.

The event started at a quarter to twelve and included applause after the dance and references to further demonstrations that took place that day. A second demo was planned at 2.30 p.m., organized by Fridays for Future, in which 220 participants were expected. Andrea Brenker-Pegesa from the federal government commented on increasing skepticism in terms of climate change, while Pastor Christof Vetter addressed the need for changes in the small scale. The participants of the "Colorful against Braun" demo, which also included the SPD, Greens and the left, were able to include between 550 and 700 people. Member of the Bundestag such as Helge Limburg (Greens) and Felix Bergmann (left) were present, but did not stop.

participants and safety precautions

The average number of participants was higher than with previous "Fridays for Future" demonstrations, with parents playing a dominant role. Cenk Yilmaz, the student representative, spoke about migration and violence against migrants. There was also a mini area with four young people who wore an AfD flag, which was stopped by the police. Participants expressed concerns about possible political developments, especially with regard to Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the risk of a right government.

With temperatures of only 1 degree, the participants stood the adverse conditions and sang against fascism. The police reported a quiet afternoon and did not express any increased security measures, despite an attack in Munich who accompanied the preparations.

The start of "One Billion Rising 2025" was announced in a further connection, which takes place as part of the 16 Days of Activism and the international day to eliminate violence against women. The initiative invites survivors, artists and activists and addresses increasing authoritarian governments worldwide as well as declining at Women's and LGBTQ+rights. The call to escalation of the protests aims to combat sexual violence, racism, war, colonialism and climate justice, as on the website of One Billion rising was reported.