Till Lindemann on stage, here in Cape Town in 2011
Photo: Getty Images, Gallo Images. All rights reserved.
Before Till Lindemann’s concert in Düsseldorf’s Mitsubishi Electric Hall on November 10, 2023, there were again protests against the Rammstein singer – this time the alliance “No Show for Perpetrators Düsseldorf” called for the rally.
Before the tour started in Leipzig there were around 300 participants protesting against the Rammstein frontman, but according to press estimates in Düsseldorf there were only around 150-200 participants.
How T Online Reportedly, slogans such as “There are perpetrators in every city. Form gangs, crush them” and “We are here out of pure hostility towards your fan community”. There were no riots or violence during the demonstration; only verbal arguments occurred between the mostly female demonstrators and the mostly male fans, according to the report. However, the stage of the demonstration was also used for topics beyond the Lindemann concert, so the speeches by alternating speakers also revolved around “capitalism and the Kurdish liberation struggle,” writes the website.
In one detailed writing The “No Show for Perpetrators Düsseldorf” alliance explained its positions. An excerpt:
We are taking this concert as an opportunity to take our anger and our demands to the streets. We demand – for spaces we share with allies, concerts, the home, on social media and everywhere:
- that those affected are listened to, taken seriously and their needs are respected! No more stage for perpetrators in art and literature, music and theater as well as in sport and politics!
- that structures & individuals talk about violence and abuse when they observe something like this and take effective action against it! Knowing and not acting is protection against perpetrators! Protection of perpetrators must no longer be tolerated!
- that artists and other actors in all areas of culture speak out against these violent conditions and take a stand, even if they fear loss of success!
- that organizers and people who manage and design spaces prioritize protecting those present from violence and firmly anchor prevention, intervention and aftercare measures in their concepts! The integrity of people, especially FLINTA* [Abkürzung für Frauen, Lesben, Intersex-Personen, nicht-binäre Personen, Transpersonen und A-Gender-Personen, Anm. TERZ] and marginalized groups must take precedence over commercial success and conflict avoidance!
- that the city of Düsseldorf does not provide any space for perpetrators and that the council decides on allocation criteria for the use of city premises and areas that prohibit the (re)production of sexist, racist and other discrimination and violence!
- that fans check who they are celebrating! You are partly responsible for the continued success of artists who commit violence if you continue to support them!
- that every single person takes responsibility! For a society without attacks and abuse of power!
The problem is the system: patriarchal structures are always linked to capitalist and racist exploitation and must be fought together. Let us fight together for our utopia of a free, self-determined life without violence!
Proceedings against Till Lindemann discontinued
Legally, Till Lindemann no longer has anything to fear, at least at the moment – the investigation against him was closed because there was simply a lack of evidence. There were allegations of sexual violence against Till Lindemann in the summer. Several women reported on social networks and then to the media to report possible abuse of power and alleged attacks. Several feminist and left-wing groups had called for the protests. In advance w