Demonstration in Bonn in support of civilian sea rescue Flowers in the Rhine commemorate those who died in the Mediterranean
Bonn · Around 700 people demonstrated in Bonn in support of civilian sea rescue. The organiser criticised the EU for doing nothing to prevent the deaths of refugees.
It was a colourful, loud and peaceful protest. According to information from the organiser, around 700 people came to Konrad-Adenauer-Platz in Beuel to show their solidarity with civilian sea rescuers on the Mediterranean. They marched to Friedensplatz. The “Seebrücke” alliance, which sees itself as an open civil society movement, had called for demonstrations “Against dying on the Mediterranean” in numerous German cities.
Helpers report difficulties
“We are making the case for civilian sea rescue,” explained Kai Echelmeyer of Seebrücke. There is no longer any state rescue on the Mediterranean. “Civilian helpers are stepping in where the European Union is failing.” The protesters criticised the conditions in Libyan refugee camps and demanded that more opportunities for legal immigration to Europe be created. The detention of Carola Rackete, captain of the rescue vessel Sea Watch 3, on the Italian island of Lampedusa was also condemned. Sea rescue must not be criminalised.
Only two days before the demonstration, the drama of the situation once again became apparent: around 80 people died in a boat accident off the Tunisian coast on Thursday. To commemorate them, demonstrators on the Kennedy Bridge threw flowers and ears of wheat into the Rhine. The ears of wheat were also symbolic because: “We want to show that there is enough food for all the people in the world, but many people still have to starve,” said Echelmeyer. Hunger is one of the main causes of flight worldwide.
Alan Kurdi has 39 minors on board
Civilian sea rescue teams continue to have problems. Rackete has since been released, but she faces legal action in Italy. Another civilian sea rescue vessel, the Alan Kurdi from the “Sea Eye” organisation, is cruising in international waters with 65 rescued people on board and has set course for Malta. Carlotta Weibl, the spokesperson for “Sea Eye”, who gave a speech at the demonstration, reported that there are currently no medical emergencies on board the Alan Kurdi. Nevertheless, it must still head for port as soon as possible. “We can’t wait two weeks; the ship is much smaller than the Sea Watch 3.” The people are getting weaker and there are also 39 minors on board.
(Original text: Matthias Lorenz. Translation: Kate Carey)
