Protestcamp 3.0 - It is colorful again on Sylt: First punks travel to protest camps on the wealthy island
With backpacks, tents, yurts, and cold drinks, the first participants of the protest camp on Sylt arrived two days before the official start. The round six-week camp of the group "Aktion Sylt" begins here on Monday. It is the third summer in a row that punks from all over Germany have set up their tents here to criticize capitalism on the island of the Rich and Beautiful in this way.
Ente from North Rhine-Westphalia was always there. With beer and card games, she passed the time with other Punks – among them Phil and Sari from Uelzen and Knolle from Hannover – at the Wilhelminen-Brunnen in Westerland until the tent setup in the camp.
The community of Sylt remains calm
"We assume that the protest camp will proceed peacefully," Florian Korte, spokesperson for the Gemeinde Sylt, told the German Press Agency. The talks between the Sylt police, the Nordfriesland district, and our ordinance office have been and are running constructively.
With the 9-Euro-Ticket, countless punks from all over Germany had traveled to the island in 2022 and had made headlines nationwide with their protest camp – but also caused discontent among Sylters and guests. The previous year, the event took place under the motto "Sylt for all," and the punks wanted to draw attention to social division with it.
A very small advance guard had already protested at the beginning of June on Sylt, after a video of a party in a local on Sylt had caused nationwide outrage. In the video, guests were seen shouting slogans like "Foreigners out" and "Germany for the Germans" to the song "L’amour toujours."
The Anarchist Pogo Party also plans action
"The protest camp is starting, as far as we know, as announced," Hans-Martin Slopianka, spokesperson for the Nordfriesland district, said. The maximum 300 participants were therefore allowed to build their tents on a meadow in the industrial area near the airport in Tinnum from Saturday onwards and stay there until July 28. Slopianka did not mention reasons for the move from one grassy area to another.
"All installations (tents, toilets, garbage) must be completely removed by September 6, 12 p.m.," the spokesperson said. Among the regulations were that the registrants provide chemical toilets and stewards with white armbands or warning vests in the camp. Earlier statements from the district stated that the protest camp on Sylt was registered for the period from July 22 to September 1.
The Anarchist Pogo Party Germany (APPD) had also recently announced "Chaostage" from July 24 to August 13 on the North Sea island via Instagram. "It's about to start! Alert Alert Sylt Sylt Sylt! Alert Alert Antifascist!" the post of the small party reads.
It was unclear at the latest whether members of the Berlin branch of the APPD would live in the already registered camp of "Aktion Sylt" or start their own registration. A corresponding registration for an independent action was not available from the district at that time.
Police from Flensburg support on Sylt
Police from Flensburg are supporting the protest camp on Sylt. "We are there to ensure order and security," said a spokesperson for the Flensburg police. The police presence is intended to prevent any possible conflicts and ensure the safety of all those present. The police are also available to provide advice and assistance to the organizers of the protest camp. The exact number of officers involved was not disclosed.
The police are planning to accompany the registered rally on the holiday island, as Gina Plath, spokesperson for the Flensburg Police Department, informed the dpa. "The Flensburg Police Department will deploy additional forces to support the Sylt police station." Plath could not make any statements about the number of officers and their actions due to tactical reasons.
"The police are prepared to react quickly and adapt to the situation." According to Plath, the officers are in close contact with the town hall and the regulatory authority. In addition, there is a regular exchange with the organizers of the protest camp.
Last year, a protest camp was authorized for approximately two months on a public meadow in Tinnum near the Sylt Airport. The participants and initiators included the group "Action Sylt" as well as members of the APPD.
Centrally and in a park directly in front of the Westerland Town Hall, as well as in front of St. Nicolai Church, protesting punks had camped for weeks against the development of Sylt. Locals and tourists complained about noise, trash, and odor. Eventually, the camp had to be dismantled due to a corresponding court order.
- Despite the impending protest camp, Florian Korte, spokesperson for the Gemeinde Sylt, expressed optimism about maintaining peace, citing constructive talks between local authorities.
- Countless punks from across Germany utilized the 9-Euro-Ticket to join the 2022 protest camp on Sylt, gaining nationwide attention but also causing controversy among locals.
- Last year, a protest camp on Sylt under the motto "Sylt for all" attracted punks who aimed to highlight social divisions, causing discomfort among Sylters and tourists.
- The Anarchist Pogo Party Germany (APPD) announced "Chaostage" on Sylt from July 24 to August 13, stirring uncertainty about whether they would join or establish an independent camp.
- Police from Flensburg are on hand to ensure order and security during the protest camp, with officers available to consult and assist the organizers.
- In 2021, a protest camp authorized for two months on a public meadow in Tinnum was jointly hosted by the "Action Sylt" group and APPD members, leading to complaints about noise, trash, and odor that eventually necessitated a court-ordered dismantling.
