Decolonize Berlin came out of a civil society network of Black, diasporic, post-colonial and developmental initiatives, together with individual activists. The alliance has been organised as a non-profit organisation since 2019.
It campaigns for a critical debate about colonialism and racism, and for the recognition, reappraisal, and overcoming of colonial injustice. The goal is the decolonisation of the whole of society, that is, the dismantling of racist power relations, structures, and narratives.
A main focus is on the colonial continuities in public spaces, for example in street names or monuments. For this reason, the group has organised the anti-colonial street festival for the last 10 years, and has fought for the renaming of colonial charged streets in the African Quarter in Wedding—most recently the renaming of Petersallee to Maji-Maji Allee and Anna Mungunda Allee in 2024.
The work consists of thematic working groups (education, public spaces, museums), which develop projects, decide on activities and carry out the organisation’s work. We have regular open meetings.
Since 2020, the organisation has had a coordinating centre which is financed by the city of Berlin. They use decisions of the Berlin parliament to develop a city-wide concept for dealing with colonialism and its consequences. The coordination centre works together with civil society, administration, and politicians. It follows a participatory approach which integrates Black, diasporic and migrant groups.
On Saturday, 23rd August, Decolonize Berlin is organising the Amofest to celebrate the renaming of M*Straße to Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße. The festival starts at 2pm at Hausvogteiplatz.
