UNREST RADIO: Recent Episodes
U N R E S T R A D I O
UNREST RADIO { audio declaration of oppression } — an autonomous space for socio-political documentation of unheard voices. This podcast focuses on socio-political oppression within German society. Its objective is to reveal unheard voices and unveil stories of racism, human rights violation, power abuse, discrimination and systemic issues (e.g. accommodation, education, food, health care, etc.). Every month we will tune into Unrest Radio to hear pertinent issues.
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https://linktr.ee/unrestradio
AFD’s recent victories are the result of a society that hasn’t fully come to terms with its past and continues to overlook large portions of its population. The far-right’s rise will persist until Germany, including its left-wing, addresses the root causes of extremism.
Germany’s history of colonial violence, racism, and genocide—from early 20th-century East Africa to the Holocaust—still leaves scars today. The resurgence of far-right movements and support for oppressive regimes like Israel's point to a continuity of these ideologies, revealing a need to dismantle systemic violence.
Listen to “Germany: Old Ghosts, New Shadows,” available in multiple languages.
**TIMESTAMPS
- Arabic 02:32
- Bangla 08:16
- English 15:10
- German 20:56
- Punjabi 26:11
- Turkish 32:35
- Urdu 38:46
Collaborations (narration and translation): Jazz, Joseph Puglisi, Karaca, Mahmuda Akhter, and Razi Haider Gilani.
Produced by Joseph Puglisi, Saad Shahriar.
Music credit: Stop the Palestinian Genocide - aRPA(music played in the beginning of each narration).
It can be hard to imagine life in Gaza outside of the constant terror, the bombings, and the continuous tragedy of the Palestinians. It's hard to even imagine anything about Gaza at all, bombed as we are by constant propaganda and fear mongering. So we sat down with Muath, who lived there for most of his childhood and adult life, and he painted for us a picture of a place where life exists, like everywhere else, with daily tragedy, resistance, and, of course, with humour.
The episode was recorded in Arabic, and then translated and read in English by our comrade Ghassan, who also did the art for the episode.
**Timestamps for the two versions below.
In the first part of the conversation, Muath talks about his own family history and how it ties into the plight of the Palestinian people and the ongoing genocide. In the second part we talk about day to day life in Gaza, its struggles, and some of the misconceptions associated with it, even by people in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Finally, in the third part we discussed resistance and solidarity, and what anyone can do to help, even in the slightest, in the face of the overwhelming tragedy.
Timestamps:
Arabic original - 4:10
English translation - 20:50
___________________________
Art and translation by: Ghassan
Follow Leneșx Radio (https://linktr.ee/lenesxradio)
STOP GENOCIDE: MADE IN GERMANY
a music track by anonymous artist for unrest radio
full lyrics:
Hello Germany
Where is your tax money
Open your eyes and look around
Is your money funding Nazis
Your history fooled you
you never learned
Your racism shows as Arabs burn
Your racism shows when you accuse Jews
Calling them anti-Semites
is your brain screwed
Hating on those who fight for rights
Your tax money's gonna bomb Palestine
Hating on them coz your guilt is white
Your ignorance is killing Palestine
And your silence is creating Frankenstein
And your violence is creating Frankenstein
Don’t be so cowardly with your Nazi legacy
Stop the fucking genocide
Stop the fucking genocide
I said stop the fucking genocide
Made in Germany
Germany’s repression of artists in solidarity with Palestine has targeted Hamja Ahsan, an award-winning artist, writer and activist, based in London, England, who makes artwork on Halal Fried Chicken. In this podcast, he tells the story of how his dream of curating the prestigious Documenta 15 turned into a protracted nightmare.
The heat around the 2022 Documenta exhibition, which takes place in Kassel, Germany every 5 years, still generates headlines, echoing in the current Berlinale Film Festival fiasco. During the 100 days of the exhibition, and its run up and aftermath, Ahsan and many of the artists faced a barrage of McCarthyism, censorship, vandalism, media smear campaigns, violent threats and racist attacks.
An ongoing solidarity campaign with the bullied artist has emerged around the hashtag #HandsOffDocumenta.
As part of its war on Artists supporting the BDS campaign, the Axel Springer newspaper BILD made the artist Hamja Ahsan into a national media sensation during the Documenta exhibition. Ahsan was demonised for two facebook comments criticising German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a “Neoliberal fascist pig”; with a following comment criticising the meeting between Scholz and disgraced British prime minister Boris Johson as a “two pigs”. Hamja’s comments were met with a barrage of calls to deport him, disinvite him, “burn” and ban his artwork, and to stop his right to speak in Germany.
At the time of recording this, Ahsan faces trial in Germany, for these comments. He is being prosecuted, accused of sedition ("Volksverhetzung"), despite living in England and not being a citizen of Germany. Ahsan faces a 12,000 euro fine or the possibility of months in prison.
We talked to Hamja about the absolute collapse of journalistic integrity in Germany and he reflects how this process has only been on steroids for months as part of the genocidal siege on Gaza, by silencing dissent and persecuting anti-war voices. Ahsan’s instagram account @realdocumenta chronicling this was legally threatened, sensationalised and shut down by current Documenta CEO Andreas Hoffmann.
In fact, we covered many other things, from Germany's far-right turn, the AfD surge and the role of neurodiverse people in public institutions that his influential book Shy Radicals covers.
Ahsan is currently writing his second book Radical Chicken where his story will continue.
To support the solidarity campaign and Ahsan’s legal funds: https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-artist-hamja-ahsan-fund
The Documenta 15 artists collective statements on repression and solidarity: https://werefuseweareangry.wordpress.com/ "Documenta Racism Crisis" Earlier in-depth interview with Hamja Ahsan in Left Berlin from 2022: https://www.theleftberlin.com/antisemitism-or-merely-allegiance-to-german-foreign-policy/
Discussion moderated by Ionuț / unrest radio.
In Münster, Germany, while the university canceled a film screening on the topic of Palestine, a few students aimed to organize a concert in response to imperialist repression and to raise humanitarian awareness—a minimal response to genocide.
They booked Leo 16, a self-proclaimed left-leaning bar in the city, as the venue. However, mirroring the right, the left stream canceled the event amid ongoing genocide, leading to a humanitarian disaster—a famine.
Timeline of booking and cancelation:
- February 03, 2024 - students requested to book the venue for March 30, 2024 to organize concert.
- February 07, 2024 - venue collective asked for further information.
- February 15, 2024 - students clarified in details about the concert.
- March 04, 2024 - students proposed time to discuss in person with venue collective.
- March 06 and 08, 2024 - students attempted to communicate, but no response from venue collective.
- March 21, 2024 - venue collective rejected the event.
'My sister, our land has a throbbing heart,
it doesn't cease to beat, and it endures
the unendurable. It keeps the secrets
of hills and wombs. This land sprouting
with spikes and palms is also the land
that gives birth to a freedom-fighter.
This land, my sister, is a woman.' — Fadwa Tuqan
While a genocide happening, the silence of German leaders regarding the plight of women in Palestine signals a failure of moral leadership and contradicts Germany's professed values of justice, equality, and human rights.
The silence of white German feminists on the repression of Palestine solidarity activists contrasts sharply with the broader feminist movement's commitment to intersectionality and solidarity.
In this episode six women from diverse communities in Germany shared their experiences and insights on German political repression in Palestine solidarity.
The scene resembled something out of a Hollywood movie, with LWL Museum surrounded by police cars. Who was inside? Let's tune in to hear the inside story.
Don't forget to share your opinion with us. Interact with poll on spotify.
Further reference:
https://youtu.be/4aw343PM6tM
On February 5th, 2024, a film screening of 'Roadmap to Apartheid' organized by the Institute of Ethnology at the University of Münster was cancelled by the authorities. On January 22, 2024, the same film was postponed.
Since past few months Germany's repression on Palestine solidarity voices are significantly brutal, and now censoring academic freedom is another escalation towards the dark avenue.
In this episode, students and the audiences of the cancelled film shared their concern regarding the censorship of academic freedom in Germany!
Credit:
Holocaust survivor Marione Ingram interview. [Democracy Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU4g0GEqaRY]
References:
- Authority, Authoritarianism, and Education. Bruce Romanish
- Germany's authoritarian interference in the academic freedom in the university of Muenster. Unrest Radio reportage [https://youtu.be/hPaj-wZm8eE]
- Palestine and Nazi Germany. Sara Reguer
- The Role Ex-Nazis Played in Early West Germany by Ralf Beste, Georg Bönisch, Thomas Darnstaedt, Jan Friedmann, Michael Fröhlingsdorf und Klaus Wiegrefe - 06.03.2012, 17.41 Uhr [https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-dictatorship-to-democracy-the-role-ex-nazis-played-in-early-west-germany-a-810207.html]
- The Third Reich and the Palestine Question. Francis R. Nicosia
Germany's manufactured guilt and weaponization of antisemitism aim to justify a settler colonial state, apartheid regime, and Israeli state terrorism, responsible for the deaths of over 20,000 civilians, with over 40% being children.
In the German police state, oppression towards those raising their voices against genocide is brutally silencing. From police custody to house raids and police presence in university seminar rooms leading to the arrest of students, these are horrific signs of fascism. The state is proactively suppressing free speech, sending it to the morgue.
We discussed all these dehumanizing concerns with Adam Broomberg and Shahidul Alam. They outspokenly reflect on their experiences with the current German state.
Discussion moderated by Ionuț, Saad / unrest radio.
About guest speakers:
-
Adam Broomberg (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Broomberg)
-
Shahidul Alam (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahidul_Alam)
References:
-
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cwph98KuIyb/?igsh=aHFwdzA0ZTR4ZGJ5
-
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0jx3wxoOop/?igsh=MWZ2NmVuZ2N2YWJtcw%3D%3D
-
https://www.newarab.com/analysis/how-pro-palestine-jews-are-resisting-germanys-mccarthyism?amp
-
https://www.1854.photography/2023/12/biennale-aktuelle-fotografie-cancelled/
Credits:
- Ehsas-e-Jurm (Guilt), song by Multinational Corporations (2012-2017) a political metal band from Lahore, Pakistan.
- Metal (Dark Matter) track by AlexGrohl.
In authoritarian Germany (which has a clear symptom of being a police state), we have been witnessing the state using police to silence, criminalizing Palestinian voices. Banning demonstrations, censoring freedom of expression, and racial police profiling are significantly on the rise. Not only that, German Police raided the house of a 'Hanau Attack' survivor, just because of criticizing Israel online!
In German society, instead of confronting this horror show, the duality significantly exposed and co-existing within the German left and right. This hypocrisy is strongly visible amongst academia, industries like those who deal with human rights and other social classes.
We received this letter from Usama — a resident living in Münster (NRW) Germany, through the letter he expressed an observational reflection directed at pseudo theoretical intellectuals, the bourgeoisie and students regardless of race or ethnicity in society and who are supporting a genocidal, settler colonial, fascist right wing, apartheid regime...
How antisemitism has been instrumentalized by political power to oppress unheard voices in Germany? How did Israel become part of Germany? How do Germans speak like they are jews?
Ms. Iris Hefets, psychoanalyst and member of Jewish Voice for Peace, Germany discussed with Unrest Radio [interview conducted by Ionuț and Saad] about Germany's fragile past and present that created a dogmatic obstacles to have a dialogue about Israel and Palestine in Germany! Currently which are illegally dictating by the German Police - what to say, what shouldn't!
Acknowledgement:
Intro poem - 'What must be said' by Günter Grass, recited by @Snordster (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux79j1r9hvE)
Through this episode we want to introduce our listener to an authoritarian regime which more often bluffs us in the name of democracy.
End of October and the beginning of November we talked with several people, and they shared their experiences.
Hebh Jamal, a Palestinian journalist currently based in Berlin, talked to us about current German oppression on the Palestine issue.
Also we will listen to three suffocating realities that clearly indicate the gradual extinction of freedom of expression in Germany!
Listen how a student has faced racial police profiling and violence in Germany.
In Germany migrants, refugees, and people of color are often disproportionately affected by police brutality. Police brutality has been a serious problem here, but many cases stay unreported and not properly investigated.
Also listen to our another guest from KOP Berlin (https://kop-berlin.de/) who discussed in depth and wider perspective of this severe socio-political problem.
Dear listeners, you can also share your experience by writing in Q&A section below in the episode description, also you can take part by voting in the poll.
“The path of least resistance is always to accept the distribution of power as it exists, to ratify and support it either by doing nothing or by lending one’s talents to the implementation of policies that are not questioned or challenged. The cost of this passivity will be borne by the victims of power—but they are far away, often of another colour and culture, and powerless to strike back at us."
– Noam Chomsky
Gasping for Air is an op-ed documented by Ionuț, audio version narrated by Usama, Jazz.
[ Note: few words of this audio version has mistake, so we corrected with voice over. Read the text version by following that link - https://ms-alternativ.de/index.php/artikel/op-ed-gasping-air-what-can-you-do-when-last-shreds-freedom-expression-go-right-out-window ]
Resources:
Responsibility by Noam Chomsky, Delivered at March 4, 1969 Protests at MIT: https://mitpress.mit.edu/responsibility-by-noam-chomsky-delivered-at-march-4-1969-protests-at-mit/
Malgré leur interdiction, des rassemblements pro-Palestine organisés en France: https://www.lejdd.fr/societe/malgre-leur-interdiction-des-rassemblements-pro-palestine-organises-en-france-138901
France has banned pro-Palestinian protests and vowed to protect Jews from resurgent antisemitism:
https://apnews.com/article/france-israel-palestinians-war-protests-banned-5626bafec480b32226dcb97d0c92a553
Street marchers back both Israel and the Palestinians in European cities:
https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/14/street-marchers-back-both-israel-and-the-palestinians-in-european-cities
Germany will ban all Hamas-linked activities, Scholz says:
https://www.politico.eu/article/olaf-scholz-germany-will-ban-all-hamas-linked-activities-israel-palestine/
Germany bans Kurdish PKK publishing houses:
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-bans-kurdish-pkk-publishing-houses/a-47473308
Böllerwürfe in Neukölln: Polizei und pro-palästinensische Demonstranten geraten aneinander:
https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/news/boellerwuerfe-in-neukoelln-polizei-und-pro-palaestinensische-demonstranten-geraten-aneinander-li.2149348
Kop Statement and joint statements:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CycoPOFs1Sh/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D&img_index=3
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyaUz58Md3H/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
Polizei Berlin post: https://twitter.com/polizeiberlin/status/1712898237890224389
20,000 join anti-war protest: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/oct/13/afghanistan.terrorism5
Proteste gegen Afghanistan-Krieg und Globalisierung in vielen Städten: https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article486730/Proteste-gegen-Afghanistan-Krieg-und-Globalisierung-in-vielen-Staedten.html
Tausende demonstrieren gegen den Krieg:
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/europa-tausende-demonstrieren-gegen-den-krieg-a-161449.html
German Leader Reiterates Solidarity with U.S.:
https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011009-13.html
Black Lives Matter in Europe:
https://www.rassismusmonitor.de/fileadmin/user_upload/NaDiRa/Pdfs/DeZIM_Research_Notes__06_-_Black_Lives_Matter_in_Europe.pdf
Trump Called BLM Protesters ‘Thugs’ But Capitol-Storming Supporters ‘Very Special’:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2021/01/06/trump-called-blm-protesters-thugs-but-capitol-storming-supporters-very-special/
Besondere Verantwortung für das jüdische Volk? Die Deutschen sind gespalten:
https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article245315650/Israel-Besondere-Verantwortung-fuer-das-juedische-Volk-Deutschen-gespalten.html
Merz nennt Klimaaktivisten „kriminelle Straftäter“:
https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/merz-nennt-klimaaktivisten-kriminelle-straftaeter-18490178.html
Just imagine you are in Germany living for six months, and based on false allegation dormitory authorities studierendenwerk Münster gonna kick you out in two weeks! Don't you think that is inhuman and human rights violation? And that is happening for real with a student right at the moment!
For the corporation like studierendenwerk in Münster, harassing international students, especial students of color are on rise.
Our published article and previous episode also indicates that:
https://ms-alternativ.de/artikel/studierendenwerk-versus-international-student-trial-and-errors
In this episode three international students shared their horrific experiences of being oppressed while living and leaving the dorms of a corporation called studierendenwerk in Muenster, who have monopolisely control over student dorms and student canteens throughout Germany.
For further reference you can read our recently published critical and investigative article which also exposed the whole power structure of studierendenwerk and its Genie lamp! Click the link to read the article:
https://ms-alternativ.de/artikel/paper-tigers-and-distractions-state-authority-or-studierendenwerk-asta-and-uni-muenster-vs
"...you come here for better life, but the six first month is worst than which you've ever experience!"
How it was? Two international student shared their first six month of sufferings, that indicate social inequality and discrimination within German system and society!
An international student shared the traumatic experience of living situation that most of the international students are facing during their study period in so many ways.
Five foreign resident living in Germany are sharing their experiences being outcasted! Let's listen to them to realize.
[ documented by saad shahriar]
credit music: Raga Yaman by Ustad Bismillah Khan
"...state has more interest in supporting capitalist company rather than saving the future of the planet."
Lützerath was occupied by activists for two years and became a symbol for environmentalist groups demanding an end to the use of coal and fossil fuels in Germany. At some point German authority managed to evict the climate activists from the whole village.
This episode is all about the climate crisis, and the human response to that climate crisis.
In this episode we wanted to dig down the socio-political aspect of climate crisis.
[ documented by saad shahriar with jaafar hamdan and poc de fang ]
A resident from the refugee camp in Osnabrück, Germany speaks out about how they are forced to live in inhuman conditions inside the camp and how he faced the traumatic consequences after raising his voice for human rights and dignity — against racism, and discrimination!
Deal with Alien offices or foreign offices, many foreign residents living in Germany found it very complicated. Sometimes it is very stressful whenever it comes to extending the visa!
Every year many international students come to Germany for study purposes. Many of them face lots of challenges in dealing with bureaucratic procedures, racism, and discrimination issues.
In this episode, along with many hassles, two international students living in two different cities in Germany shared their terrible experiences dealing with the alien office in Germany.
Two international students living in two different cities in Germany shared their terrible experiences dealing with the alien office in Germany.
Stay tuned for the full episode November 27, 2022.