Strangers on the Streets

A Photo Story by Luna G, grade 9

In Marienplatz, several protests bring people together for different causes. Today, we zoom in on two particular protests: one focused on Lebanon and the other organized by the GWE. Despite campaigning for different causes, they are still brought together in the shared streets of Marienplatz.

Protesting and advocacy requires planning and time. Protestors stand for hours, holding signs and making their voices heard. For some, this motivation is personal. As Mr. mentions, “The goal is to raise more awareness, especially young people. We want to get more young people to be involved in political issues and to know more about what is going on in the world.” He added: “It’s not only about Lebanon, it’s also about the future, of how we want to live in this world.”

At the GWE protest, one of the voices was a woman advocating for equal access to German language courses for immigrants. As many protesters gathered in Marienplatz, she spoke about exaclty what they were protesting for: “Es geht darum, dass wir gegen eine Politik in Deutschland sind, die sagt, dass Menschen, die neu nach Deutschland kommen, nicht mehr unterstüzt werden sollen, Deutsch zu lernen. Wenn sie Geld haben sollen sie selbst bezahlen, und wenn nicht, bekommen sie keine Unterstützung.”

Translation: The point is that we oppose a policy in Germany stating that people newly arriving in the country should no longer receive support to learn German. If they have the money, they are expected to pay for it themselves; if not, they receive no support.

For her, it was about fairness and equal opportunity. As she puts it, “Das ist schlimm, das ist racismus, und dagegen sind wir”.

Translation: That is terrible, that is racism, and we are against exactly that.

In the end, Marienplatz and Munich in general has become more than just a landmark that tourists must visit. They are places where everyone gathers to share their concerns, hopes and beliefs. While the Lebanon protest and the GWE demonstration contrast in their purpose, both groups used the same space to make themselves heard. For a moment, they aren’t just strangers from different backgrounds standing side by side. They are united not by the same message, but the shared belief of speaking up for what they think is right. Through these protests, the streets of Mareinplatz don’t just become a fashion center or a hang out place; it becomes a chance for change.