- Punk protest camp 3.0 on Sylt at halftime peacefully
Jubilantly leaping, they jump into the North Sea with pink-green spiky hair and cans of beer in hand, collect seashells on the Sylt beach at sunset in combat boots, and play guitar in Westerland's pedestrian zone. For the third summer in a row, punks from across Germany are livening up the island of the rich and beautiful.
"We're very satisfied and have more people than last year. We're currently working on more actions - we have a CSD and an action in Kampen planned," said Protestcamp registrant and spokesperson Marvin Bederke (24) from Frankfurt to the German Press Agency. Unlike last year, there are no plans to extend the camp until 2024.
The Sylt camp has become a mini-festival
About three weeks after the official start of their third punk protest camp on Germany's largest North Sea island, the approximately 170 residents here in August have established a kind of mini-festival - with concerts, workshops, readings, and political actions. Under the motto "Protest camp for a solidarity-based coexistence - climate justice and inclusive towards a common future without gentrification," the participants from across Germany, according to the group "Aktion Sylt," are criticizing capitalism. They plan to stay on the festival grounds in the industrial park near the airport in Tinnum until September 1st.
The protest camp on the holiday island is now in its third year. It all began with the nine-euro ticket on the North Sea island in the summer of 2022, when around 100 punks camped in tents in front of the town hall in Westerland. This third edition, outside the island's tourist center, is much more professional: there are toilets, a kitchen tent, and a stage.
"The camp has gone through a self-discovery phase. Last year, no one really knew what to expect - this year, the mass has homogenized: we have a better overall structure, but also for concerts," said co-organizer Jonas Hötger (24) from Frankfurt. He doesn't rule out a Punk Camp 4.0 next year. Co-organizer Pissrinne (21), who traveled from Lake Constance, agrees: "This year, we have more technology and a power connection, which means we can put on real concerts," he said.
Police: So far, everything is quiet in the camp
The situation around the protest camp is mostly peaceful at the halfway point, said Philipp Renoncourt, spokesperson for the police directorate in Flensburg. "The main reasons for intervention are noise disturbances and disputes, such as aggressive begging." The number of interventions in and around the protest camp is currently "in the middle double-digit range."
Protest camp: Some Sylt residents are angry
Some Sylt residents are growing increasingly annoyed by Camp 3.0 and its residents. However, the passersby questioned by dpa on Tuesday did not want to make public statements.
"In principle, we as the Sylt municipality are aware of a certain displeasure among parts of the population regarding the protest camp," said Florian Korte, spokesperson for the Sylt municipality. The municipality follows up on complaints related to the camp and forwards those for which it is not responsible to the police or the North Friesland district.
So far, the protest camp is running peacefully. The toilet and waste disposal are running according to the regulations, and the camp's water and electricity supply is also functioning and will be billed with the registrants. This year, Bederke and his comrades are collecting money for food, clean toilets, waste disposal, and a stage via crowdfunding. Around 3,100 euros had been donated by Tuesday afternoon.
Other people seem relaxed about the unusual Sylt clientele, saying, "I think the camp is a colorful contrast to the otherwise homogeneous Sylt vacationers. I advocate for tolerance on all sides," said vacationer Carola Bollenhaupt. Even an 80-year-old Sylt resident who lives near the camp isn't bothered by the guests on the field: "They don't do anything and are quiet - and it's better than if they were sitting at the Wilhelmine," she said.
Rumors of lice in Sylt's camp not confirmed
According to the North Friesland district, cooperation with the organizers is running smoothly. "Rumors of a scabies infection (lice) within the protest camp could not be confirmed," said Laura Lewin, spokesperson for the district. However, guidelines for handling such an infection have been provided.
The organizers are reportedly adhering to the conditions, such as providing chemical toilets, trash cans, and stewards with white armbands or vests. Earlier, the district had stated that the protest camp on Sylt is registered for the period from July 22 to September 1. By September 6, participants must have dismantled and cleaned up everything.
Anarchist Pogo Party also present in the camp
Members of the Anarchist Pogo Party Germany (APPD) are also now in the camp. The group had announced "Chaostage" from July 24 to August 13 on the North Sea island via Instagram.
The demonstration organized by the participants of the protest camp draws a large crowd, attracting interested onlookers and supporters. The demonstration focuses on their core principles of climate justice and opposing gentrification, echoing the motto of the camp.
