Germans protest new Internet Berlin Wall

Markus sez, "300 people gathered today in Berlin to demonstrate against the German net censorship law. The Deutsche Bunestag (German parliament) will vote on that law today. Lots of banners with slogans like 'New Berlin Wall?', 'IT-Courses for politicians' and 'Don't worry, we're from the internets' showed a colourful protest in front of the Brandenburger Gate close to the Reichstag."

Demonstration against Censhorship in Berlin (Thanks, Markus!)

[#1 posted by Drew from Zhrodague, June 18, 2009 6:40 AM]

Only 300 people?

You'd think after the last wall, there would be more Germans protesting. Isn't that why their state buildings are made of glass?

[#2 posted by tw15, June 18, 2009 6:50 AM]

The Deutsche Bunestag should be The Deutsche Bundestag

[#3 posted by failix, June 18, 2009 6:50 AM]

"You'd think after the last wall, there would be more Germans protesting."

Last year for the "Freedom not Fear" worldwide demonstration (I'm sure Cory remembers, he wrote a post about it for the UK), I went to Berlin to protest along with other 100 000 people. If the BverfG lets the law pass, there will be violent protests, believe me.

[#4 posted by Anonymous, June 18, 2009 6:58 AM]

More than 130.000 people have already signed an online petition at the official parliament website, due to which the most critical parts of the planned law have been discarded already. Its remains will no doubt be overruled by the Federal Constitutional Court shortly.

[#5 posted by failix, June 18, 2009 7:09 AM]

Oh, and don't forget where the Black Bloc comes from. There is great potential in german protesters. ;)

Here's an article in English describing last years "freedom not fear" protest in Berlin (there's an anti-sruveillance protest each year btw, and the number of protesters grows each).

So basically, I still have some hope. I mean, the German constitution isn't that bad actually.

[#6 posted by Anonymous, June 18, 2009 7:55 AM]

"If the BverfG lets the law pass, there will be violent protests, believe me."

I am against violence. But since I'm getting more and more pissed off of Germany, I would love to see those, maybe the Parliament will wake up than.

And those weren't the only protests we did, in fact this Saturday will be another in every major city of Germany.

[#7 posted by michael05, June 18, 2009 8:30 AM]

Watch the demonstration live at http://linpop.zdf.de/Berlin/webcam/index2.html

[#8 posted by Takuan, June 18, 2009 10:18 AM]

they know how to handle these types in America:
http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/06/18/chicago-riot-cops/

[#9 posted by jokel, June 18, 2009 1:21 PM]

It won't come as any suprise, but the law was passed 389:128:18 (source).

[#10 posted by digitalcole, June 18, 2009 4:04 PM]

Sad really.

[#11 posted by surreality, June 18, 2009 11:02 PM]

:(

(But I do love the "WIR SIND CHINA" sign)

[#12 posted by krake, June 19, 2009 1:28 AM]

According to official polls 92 percent of German voters are in favor of the law.

The amount of misinformation surrounding this thing is striking. People state they are in favor because the law pretends to block child pornography. And of course the quiet desperational mass doesn't know any better.

Soon our country's motto will be changed to:

KRIEG IST FRIEDEN.
FREIHEIT IST SKLAVEREI.
UNWISSENHEIT IST STÄRKE.

[#13 posted by jokel, June 19, 2009 4:02 AM]

Woohoo! It's not even 24 hours after the law was passed and, despite assurances from all involved that this is about the children, some dipshit CDU politician is already clamouring to widen the blocks to FPS games (lovingly termed "Killer's games").

[#14 posted by skore, June 19, 2009 4:58 AM]

The German Pirate Party has a new member.

[#15 posted by failix, June 19, 2009 1:14 PM]

Now, let's wait for the BverfG to snipe this law, if not, like I already said, there will be violence.