Protest action by “No Rammstein in Berlin”
Photo: Getty Images, Omer Messinger. All rights reserved.
Before the Rammstein band’s third performance in Berlin on Tuesday evening (July 18), the spokeswoman for the “No Rammstein in Berlin” campaign alliance spoke up. In an interview, Britt Baiano talked about what her protests have been able to achieve so far. Despite the analysis that not all Rammstein fans have been reached, the alliance will continue. At least until the allegations of abuse against Till Lindemann are cleared up.
Britt Baiano: “Maybe some fans will say in the end: Rammstein, that’s over now”
In an interview with the magazine “MADS”, Baiano went into successes, but also defeats in their protest actions before the Rammstein concerts. When asked about the demands of the alliance, she stated that she and her fellow campaigners were primarily concerned with clarifying the events. “We want a meticulous legal review of all allegations of sexual abuse made against Till Lindemann. And also that there will be a really big processing of comparable cases, i.e. allegations of abuse, on a cultural-political level,” said the spokeswoman. In addition, it is important that the victims are also compensated in the event of a possible conviction. However, everyone involved is aware that the concerts could not have been canceled so easily.
She was also proud that up to 300 people joined her in protesting against the band’s performances. Despite the support, there was hostility during the demos. For example, the demonstrators were shown the Hitler salute, and physical threats are said to have been made.
Baiano does not believe that the alliance was able to make a difference among all fans. “Two camps formed immediately. There are Rammstein fans who really support what we do. But of course there are others too. I don’t think there will be much movement among the fans who [auf den Konzerten] are,” she is quoted as saying. Nevertheless, Baiano hopes that something will happen in the other camp: “Should more come to light, it could of course be that more and more fans will gradually reflect and then maybe say in the end: Rammstein, that’s over now.”
The performance at Berlin’s Olympiastadion marks the end of Rammstein’s tour of Germany. After that, the East Berliners will continue in Paris and other European cities. In addition to the allegations against singer Till Lindemann, allegations of abuse against keyboardist Christian “Flake” Lorenz have now come to light. The musician has denied this so far.