politics – Page 10 – Christian Frank

NRWE

All scientists and most politicians agree that the age of fossil fuels is past and that we need to focus on clean, renewable energy.

We also know that the demand for lignite will dramatically decrease over the next decade. However, RWE is still planning to enlarge the open-pit mine at Garzweiler and destroy several villages in the process without need.

Last weekend saw several coordinated protests from various anti-coal organizations against RWE’s actions.

Unfortunately, the NRW government decided to deploy riot police to stifle the legitimate protests, partially with brute force, again placing RWE’s corporate interests above its citizens, hurting and alienating even more of us in the process.

Not good.

(Hochneukirch, 9/26/20)

Global Climate Strike

Last Friday, September 25, we saw the latest global Climate Strike.

After a long break, due to the Corona pandemic, we went back to the streets to protest against how our governments ignore the Climate Emergency and destroy our future. All while following the Corona distancing rules, of course.

Cologne alone had 10,000 protestors in the street; all over Germany, we were more than 200,000.

And this is only the beginning!

(Cologne, 9/25/20)

Cologne goes green

On Sunday, we had local elections in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia.

In my home town, Cologne, the Greens reached a clear majority in both the city council and the boroughs.

Let’s make Cologne climate-neutral and keep it colorful, tolerant, and diverse in the years to come!

(Source: https://wahlen.stadt-koeln.de/prod/KW2020/05315000/html5/index.html, 9/14/20)

Moria

The Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos was a disgrace for a long time already.

A devastating fire recently left 12,000 people without food and shelter.

And our Interior Minister, Horst Seehofer, offers to accept between 100 and 150 minors into Germany and calls it a robust humanitarian gesture – even though many cities and counties in Germany have offered to take in several thousand.

I’m utterly ashamed and disgusted.

#NotMyGovernment

(Mario Sixtus on Twitter, 9/12/20)

September 25

On Friday, September 25, we’ll have the next global climate strike!

Fighting the climate emergency is as important as ever, and we need to keep up the pressure on our politicians.

Last Friday, we had a relatively successful dress rehearsal in Cologne and were able to validate the distancing concepts for the next big protest.

See you in the streets!

(In the streets of Cologne, 9/4/20)

Pandemimimis defile parliament building

This weekend saw a big gathering of right-wing extremists and other Corona-deniers in our capital, Berlin.

During their protests, a group went to the stairs in front of our parliament building, brandishing the Reich’s hateful symbols – absolutely disgusting and shameful!

The Police should have prevented this, but they were sadly understaffed, with only three officers present in front of the parliament (according to media reports).

Maybe these officers protecting the commercial interests of RWE at the Garzweiler open-pit coal mine could have helped?

(Alle Dörfer Bleiben, 8/30/20)

World Mask Week

This week (August 7 – August 14) is World Mask Week.

Wearing a mask is the best tool we currently have to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and break the chain of infections.

By wearing a mask, I protect others from infection, in case I carry the virus.

Does this in any way infringe on my freedom or any constitutional rights that I have? Not at all – wearing a mask is about being a decent and considerate person.

Even the Google doodle dons a mask. And so can you!

(Google doodle, Android, 8/5/20)

Anti-Sexist Social Club

Thursday last week I attended a great online meeting, organized by the Anti-Sexist Social Club and Next Gen Men; people from all over the world were attending.

Although I miss attending discussions in person, there’s a massive opportunity in remote events – I would not have been able to participate, had it taken place in New York.

During the event, Jackson Bird was reading from his memoir, Sorted, and Dane Woodland was reading from his collection of poems, transVersing.

The event focused on what we can do in the 2SLGBTQ+ community to be more inclusive and less sexist; all proceeds went to The Okra Project.

Many thanks to the organizers and their skillful moderation – I learned a lot, and I look forward to many more such events!

(Sorted, Audio Book – I support Jackson on Patreon)

Coal

Our government recently passed a law that guarantees several large corporations, such as RWE and LEAG, the right to mine lignite until 2038. It also awards them huge compensation for shutting down money-losing plants.

There’s no need for coal-firing plants to generate electricity – it’s even not commercially viable anymore.

Instead of protecting the environment and its people, our government subsidizes a couple of big companies and violates the Paris accord.

We’ll ask the EU for help.

(Getting ready, 7/10/20)

Shutdown, third week, staying sane

We’re entering into the fourth week of shutdown now – the measures seem to be working and the spread of the virus seems to be slowing down.

Three things have been helping me a lot to stay sane in the past weeks, and hopefully will continue to do so in the weeks to come:

A simple activity tracker (Misfit Ray), to make sure I get enough sunshine and exercise
A virtual buddy, to make walking alone less alone
Social media, to make social distancing less distant

Stay safe and support your local businesses!

(Ferkulum, 4/4/20)