[www-features] PROPOSAL: again "monday-protests" in Germany

[guido at stopimperialism.be]

hi all,

I used this translation:  http://indymedia.nl/nl/2004/08/21008.shtml

greetings, Guido



Header : <a href="http://germany.indymedia.org/">GERMANY:</a> PROTESTS
AGAINST SOCIAL CUTS


Title: revival of the famous "monday-protests" in 1989

Picture:   http://media.de.indymedia.org/images/2004/08/89226.jpg


abstract:  There seems to be a revival of the famous "monday-protests" in
1989 which led to end of former GDR: all over Germany people protest each
monday against the government and its plans for social cuts.<br>
It began 3 weeks ago in eastern germany: in a couple of cities a few
hundred people protested against the "HARTZ 4" program and the "Agenda
2010" which are government plans that will have an deep impact on workers
and unemployed people. One aspect is that welfare money will be cut down
dramatically. The situation in eastern germany is that the average
unemployment rate is at about more than 20%. So finding work is almost
impossible and pupils who finish school often dont find any job at all.
"Hartz 4" will make millions of people live with not more than 300 Euro
per month.<p>

-3 weeks ago, on monday, a few people in a few cities shouted "We are the
people" and "We will stop Hartz 4", "Down with the government" or even
"Smash capitalism!".<p>

-2 weeks ago, on monday, 50.000 people in 36 cities protested.<p>

-Last Monday more than 100.000 people in about 140 cities all over the
country protested; the wave of demonstrations even reached the western
part of germany.<br>

<a href="http://germany.indymedia.org/2004/08/89225.shtml">all indymedia
reports about the growing protest</a> (in german) <b>|</b> <a
href="http://germany.indymedia.org/">Indymedia Germany</a>  <p>


body:  The political parties, The unions and even social movements like
e.g. Attac were surprised by the spontaneous protests.It was just the
"ordinaryl" people who went out on the streets. And their will to fight
"Hartz 4" and force the whole government to step back is very strong. In
Berlin last monday the first "monday protest" started with 5000 people and
after walking through the city more than 25.000 joined them - came down
from their houses, out of the super markets and so on...<p>
The government and the chancellor are getting more and more nervous - it
seems that the further development of the protest can´t be controlled...
Next monday the protests will surely take place in even more cities, with
even more protesters and with even more hate on the governments plans. The
protesters said they will become more and more and will continue the
protests "until Hartz 4 is shut down or until the government has to step
back. We once finished the GDR. We will finish every one who puts pressure
on us. They should not underestimate the people. Enough is enough."<p>