- Punk protest camp 3.0 on Sylt at halftime peacefully
Jubilantly jumping, they leap into the North Sea with pink-green Mohawks and cans of beer in hand, collect seashells on Sylt's beach at sunset wearing combat boots, and play guitar in Westerland's pedestrian zone. For the third consecutive summer, punks from across Germany are livening up the island of the rich and beautiful.
"We're very pleased and there are more people than last year. We're currently working on further actions - we have a CSD and an action in Kampen planned," said Marvin Bederke (24), the registrant and spokesperson of the Protestcamp from Frankfurt, to the German Press Agency. Unlike last year, there are no plans to extend the camp until 2024.
The camp on Sylt has become a mini-festival
Around three weeks after the official start of their third punk protest camp on Germany's largest North Sea island, the approximately 170 residents have established a kind of mini-festival here in August - 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 area near the airport in Tinnum until September 1st.
The protest camp on the holiday island is now in its third round. It all started with the nine-euro ticket on the North Sea island in the summer of 2022. At that time, 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 phase of self-discovery. Last year, no one really knew what to expect - this year, the crowd has become more homogeneous: we have a better overall structure, but also for concerts," said co-organizer Jonas Hötger (24) from Frankfurt. He didn'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 give real concerts," he said.
Police: So far, everything is quiet at 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."
Some Sylt residents are angry about the camp
Some Sylt residents are growing increasingly annoyed by Camp 3.0 and its residents. However, the passersby asked by dpa on Tuesday did not want to express their opinions publicly.
"Basically, 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, to dpa. The municipality is addressing the complaints related to the camp and forwarding those that it is not responsible for 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 power supply is also functioning and will be settled 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 unfamiliar Sylt clientele: "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 is not bothered by the guests on the field: "They're not doing anything and are quiet - and it's better than if they were sitting at Wilhelmine," she said.
Rumors of lice in Sylt 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 in consultation with the organizer," said Laura Lewin, spokeswoman for the district. Nevertheless, action information for the event of an infection has been issued.
The organizers are reportedly complying with the conditions, such as providing chemical toilets, trash cans, and stewards with white armbands or safety vests. Earlier reports from the district stated that the Sylt protest camp 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 in camp
Members of the Anarchist Pogo Party Germany (APPD) are now also present in the camp. The group had announced "Chaostage" from July 24 to August 13 on the North Sea island via Instagram.
"During the Pogo Party performances, tensions arose at the protest camp, leading to a brief skirmish known as 'The fight' among some participants."
"Despite the incident named 'The fight', the overall atmosphere at the camp remains positive and focused on the shared goals of climate justice and promoting inclusivity."
