Please describe yourself and your work.

I’m Nicky Böhm, a Berlin-based cultural worker. For several years, I have developed social art projects in collaboration with different collectives, communities, and non-profit organizations. My practice sits at the intersection of education, activism, and community organizing, with a focus on collective storytelling, co-authorship, and advocacy.

How would you describe the development of grassroots movements and collective work in Berlin in recent years?

Berlin has a long history of cross-movement solidarity and leftist spaces such as Køpi, ADEFRA, ISD, and the Schokofabrik. We continue to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Depending on the area of activism, the state’s responses can vary dramatically, ranging from support to outright repression. In the Palestinian solidarity movement, however, the state has intensified its repressive tactics: police violence at demonstrations is pervasive and goes unpunished, activists are defamed, criminalized, and blacklisted, and their homes and workplaces are raided. Despite this, the movement remains resilient and intersectional, linking the Palestinian struggle with global decolonial movements in Congo, Sudan, Western Sahara, and beyond.

Are there differences between activism in Berlin and other cities or countries?

Even though Berlin has a long tradition of leftist movements and numerous activist groups, many adopt Zionist positions or are reluctant to publicly support the Palestinian cause. When I’m outside Germany, I often have to explain the phenomenon of the “anti-Germans.” within leftist spaces. Taking a stand against the genocide in Palestine comes at a high cost here: state funding is withheld, and you risk being blacklisted, silenced, or effectively rendered unemployable. Repression against Palestinian solidarity is growing worldwide, but Berlin has developed a particularly dogmatic and consistently violent approach, targeting leftist Jews and Palestinians alike.

A classic example of non-intersectional activism in Germany is the demonization of Greta Thunberg and the national Fridays for Future movement. Germans remain depressingly compliant with the state, which is particularly striking given the country’s historical record. I wish we would see more resistance and direct action against state repression and rising police brutality, as we have witnessed this year in Tbilisi, Los Angeles, Jakarta, and Nairobi.

Who is your target audience, and why?

Regarding Palestine, I’m especially interested in not preaching to the converted - I try to engage my white, indoctrinated German neighbors on the outskirts of Berlin, where I live. If anyone has the potential to expand the Overton Window it's the centrist liberals. Schools also play a vital role in fostering critical thinking and encouraging open discourse. It’s crucial that young people have the tools and courage to question the dogma of state narratives and engage in empathetic, solidarity-based conversations within their communities.

How do you combine public accessibility and low-threshold participation with political work?

I enjoy blending activism work with activities that people already love. Culture and creativity in all its forms - be it music, art, film, or sport - are powerful ways to convey socially relevant messages. Events can be made accessible in lots of different ways like using sliding scale entry prices, programming activities that are family friendly, accessible for people with visible and non visible disabilities and that don’t require prior knowledge to participate. 

Why is this work particularly important right now?

Solidarity work is always important and should be integrated into our daily lives, like brushing our teeth, if we truly want to confront the devastatingly cruel sociopolitical realities we face today and move beyond apathy and hopelessness. This is not about “us” and “them” saviour sensibilities - solidarity must be reciprocal, and grounded in a shared recognition of our collective dreams, desires, rights, and responsibilities. Fred Moten said it best: “I don’t need your help. I just need you to recognize that this shit is killing you, too, however much more softly.”

What are the challenges in self-organized, collective work?

There are many but the main ones I would say are limited resources and capacity, fragile egos disguised as virtue, and ableist mindsets. Idealism without sustainable support structures leads to burnout, fragmentation, infighting, and messiah complexes.

Can you give an example of a positive and a negative experience you’ve had?

Positive: Earlier this year, the Nettles and Poppies collective reached out to me with the idea of hosting a vegan bake sale during Falastin Cinema Week. Their goal was to bring together people who love baking with a desire to engage in solidarity work and raise funds for Gaza. I found it deeply inspiring as it was such a gentle, non-judgmental, yet powerful way to involve people in collective action, even for those who may not have the capacity to participate in demonstrations or other forms of activism

Negative: Last year, at the “Day of Club Culture” award ceremony, Joe Chilalo celebrated the diversity of Berlin’s club scene on stage. In the same week, his then-boss, Friedrich Merz, made racist claims about people with migration backgrounds, alleging daily group rapes by migrants and refugees - the very same people who actually making the club scene so “diverse” and Berlin so “bunt”.

How do you ensure the political message isn’t lost in the “event” format?

Events can go deeper when there’s space for exchange, discussion, and reflection. But joy is also an essential part of resistance, especially for marginalized communities.

Are there aspects that surprise you or have surprised you?

I’m constantly amazed by those who, despite facing discrimination themselves, continue to stay active and hopeful in spite of Germany’s repressive tactics. At the same time, I’m continutally surprised by the confidence of those who still believe the German state will be on the right side of history.

How do you see the future development of activism in Berlin?

I don’t think it’s going to get any easier. Police violence, the undermining of fundamental democratic rights, the rise of the AfD, budget cuts, rising rents and unemployment, militarization, and conscription are all pressing challenges. Yet, I do see enormous potential in building cross movement solidarity networks and the politics of possibility to resist collectively and imagine new, transformational ways of being. 

Any additional thoughts or feelings you’d like to share?

When I think about Germany’s racism problem and unconditional support for Israel, two quotes come to mind. Toni Morrison said: “If I take your race away, and there you are, all strung out. And all you got is your little self, and what is that? What are you without racism? Are you any good? Are you still strong? Are you still smart? Do you still like yourself? I mean, these are the questions.” And also from James Baldwin: “I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.” Germany refuses to confront its own history. What would Germany be without Israel? And when will the long-overdue denazification and reckoning with its colonial crimes finally begin?