This year, several elections are taking place in Thuringia, including the state parliament election in September. The far-right party AfD is currently leading in the polls. If they were to implement their clearly fascist worldview, it would have enormous repercussions on the gender relations in our society and severely restrict the freedom, self-determination, and security of us women, lesbians, inter*, non-binary, trans*, and agender people (abbreviated as FLINTA*.)

We refuse to be divided by right-wing suppression fantasies. We stand in solidarity together and fight collectively for a good life for all – on March 8th and every day: This is call to action!

Confronting Fascism!

In its basic program, the AfD propagates the „traditional woman“ who sacrifices herself for children, home, hearth, and homeland. They aim to increase the „birth rate of the native population,“ aligning openly with a nationalist and racist ideology. Whether it’s their rejection of reproductive rights, their fight against diverse relationships and family forms, or their push to confine women and all those forced by society into the role of housewife and mother: The AfD aligns with central sexist notions and exacerbates them. We all realize already: Societal gender roles dictate how we should live, love, and work based on our gender. If we don’t comply with these expectations, we face sanctions, discrimination, violence, and criminalization. Women and those assigned „femininity“ externally, despite not identifying with any or a different gender, are most severely affected by this patriarchal society. Our lives would become even more difficult, and our self-determination massively curtailed if we don’t stop fascism and prevent it from taking government responsibility. For some of us, this would mean that a free life here is no longer possible. Whichever gender equality issue you look at, it’s clear: the AfD opposes everything we’ve been fighting for, for a long time. The AfD threatens our self-determination; we fight for a good life for all. That’s why we take to the streets on March 8th and demand loudly: No platform for fascism!

United against patriarchal violence!

Whether it’s catcalling, sexist remarks, sexual assaults against FLINTA*, or femicides: As FLINTA*, we are all affected by patriarchal violence! In various but numerous ways: Sexism, misogyny, queerphobia, discrimination against women, lesbians, inter*, non-binary, trans*, and/or agender people are expressions of deeply rooted patriarchal „normality“. Patriarchy kills! Violence against FLINTA* is systematic – let’s overthrow it!

Feminist struggle is labor struggle!

We demand recognition, fair pay, and good working conditions instead of exploitation! Whether we educate, care, or cashier. Whether unpaid in private or as waged labor: Care work such as childcare, household management, or caring for relatives is still predominantly done by us FLINTA*. These tasks are central to a solidarity-based society. We and our work must be socially recognized – and not serve profit maximization, while we as FLINTA* are massively threatened by poverty in old age. It requires fair wages and good conditions for both paid and unpaid care work in the private sphere. That’s why we want to support concrete struggles of workers in these areas. Currently, employees in hospitals, retail, social institutions, and many other sectors are fighting nationwide as well as here in Thuringia for fair wages and better working conditions. We stand behind your labor struggles and strikes! It’s time for wages to reflect the importance of care work and services for the entire society! Feminism is class struggle! Ultimately, our feminist struggles must aim to shake up capitalist conditions.

My body, my choice!

We want to have control over our bodies ourselves. State, church, and society still try to dictate with whom and how often we should have sex, how much or how little we should wear, whether and when we should have children, or with which gender we should identify. We have achieved partial success: §219a of the German Criminal Code was repealed, allowing access to information about abortions. However, despite all efforts, §218 of the German Criminal Code still exists, criminalizing abortions, criminalizing us, and depriving us of the right to determine our lives and bodies ourselves. The still existing so-called „Transsexual Law“ discriminates against trans* individuals and severely hinders them in freely expressing their gender identity. We have waited too long for a change in the legal situation! The government draft of the so-called Self-Determination Act has already been passed by the federal cabinet. However, changes are still needed to make it a REAL self-determination law! Because the draft shows distrust towards trans* individuals at many points: new waiting periods and racist exceptions for asylum seekers are unnecessary discrimination. It also proposes that the police and domestic intelligence services be informed about any changes in civil status. This creates new official lists and increases the risk of trans* individuals‘ personal data falling into the wrong hands. We demand that the change requests of the professional associations be taken up, and a revised government draft be submitted to the Bundestag. In addition to this state violence, there is also the hatred from anti-feminists and fundamentalists, sexist garbage from the heart of society, such as body shaming and slut shaming against FLINTA*. We are fed up with this oppression and disempowerment. Therefore: Abolish the Transsexual Law, pass a genuine Self-Determination Act, and repeal Paragraph 218 of the German Criminal Code! My body my choice – raise your voice!

Feminism without borders!

Our feminist struggles know no borders. Throughout the world, FLINTA* experience various forms of violence and are persecuted, beaten, mutilated, or murdered because of their gender or sexual orientation. Enough is enough! Those seeking protection here must receive it. Our feminism is anti-racist. That’s why we say: No FLINTA* is illegal! Right to stay everywhere! We stand in solidarity with our fellow fighters in Afghanistan and Iran, who have bravely raised their voices and risked their lives for their right to self-determination and freedom. As amplifiers, we carry your message forward. Women, Life, Freedom! – Jin, Jiyan, Azadî!

LET’S ORGANIZE!

We must organize the fight against patriarchy ourselves! That’s why we come together feministically, because we can’t rely on the patriarchal state. Let’s fight this crap together! Together, on March 8th, 2024, we want to take our anger and demands to the streets! And encourage each other and create safe spaces – solidarity among FLINTA* is important every day! This is more crucial than ever in times when we still feel the effects of the pandemic: capitalist mechanisms of oppression have been intensified, domestic violence has increased, and support networks have been harder to access. Let’s not let ourselves be divided by sexist conditions! Alerta alerta antisexista! Women, Life, Freedom!

On March 8th, we fight for justice!

In our society, people are oppressed because of their gender:

Every third day, a woman is killed by her (ex-)partner. Trans* individuals are severely restricted in living freely and autonomously by the so-called „Transsexual Law“ (TSG). Care work (such as cleaning, childcare, nursing for the sick and elderly) is poorly paid and unrecognized. These tasks are mainly performed by women. FLINTA* experience various forms of violence worldwide and are persecuted, beaten, mutilated, or murdered because of their gender or sexual orientation. This and much more must change!

Therefore, we demand:

Confronting Fascism! No stage and no vote for fascism! We actively fight against the AfD and all other manifestations of fascism – on the streets, in the voting booth, at work, in school, at university, in associations, or at home.

My Body, My Choice! Abortion for all! Finally abolish §218! Abolish the Transsexual Law! Introduce a genuine self-determination law! A violence-free life for all!

Placing care work at the center of society! Feminist struggle is labor struggle! Fair pay, good working conditions, and recognition! Support for the struggles of all strikers! A healthcare and nursing system that prioritizes people over money!

Feminism without borders! No FLINTA* is illegal! Solidarity with all international feminist struggles! Right to stay for all persecuted by patriarchal violence! Women, Life, Freedom! We want a good life for all! Our feminist struggles know no borders!

During the demonstration, childcare will be provided by a volunteer with extensive pedagogical experience from youth association work, along with another individual.

At the start of demonstration the contact information will be exchanged so that parents/guardians and childcare providers can reach each other during the demonstration.

Location: RedRoXX, Pilse 29, 99084 Erfurt (10 minutes walk from the starting point of the demonstration at Erfurt Central Station, 5 minutes walk from the endpoint of the demonstration at Anger)

Time: 3:30 PM until 15 minutes after the end of the demonstration (disbandment of the assembly) at Anger.