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PhotographyYou probably know what a flashmob is: people meet up and do something weird, like freezing at the same time (examples: here and here), or reading the German constitution as protest to censorship laws.
Wikipedia writes:
A flashmob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse.
The city of Braunschweig, Germany, has officially declared flashmobs to be illegal. The reasons:
- Public space is only to be used for traffic and transportation, as in transferring yourself or goods from flat A to flat B, or from flat A to shop B, or from shop A to shop B.
- Flashmobbing is a danger to public property. In this case, meeting in front of the castle and having a peaceful picnic without any form of political protest or interest could damage the cobbled pavement (!!), on which thousands of pedestrians walk by every day,
My fellow Braunschweigians :) … I’d very much recommend to show up at the castle on the 8th of August, 4pm. Bring a snack with you, and a towel (“always bring your towel”). We still live in a democracy, after all.
July 31st, 2009
August 2nd, 2009 at 22:16
Soviel zählen bürgerliche Freiheiten wie Versammlungsfreiheit noch… die werden einfach per Edikt abgeschafft. Zeit für zivilen Ungehorsam =) Viel Spaß, wenn du auch dort bist!
August 6th, 2009 at 14:37
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it … but then again, I’ll still bring my towel :)
August 7th, 2009 at 14:33
Don´t worry this kind of declaration will never be able to be justified at court. Flashmobbing is definitely a kind of “art-activity” and the Bundesverfassungsgericht is very constant and clear in that point: as long as it is possible to define it as art, it is free.
Nice try Braunschweig, better read your constitution, next time!
August 10th, 2009 at 07:55
I hope you’re right, I haven’t heard anything about the protest 2 days ago. Will write an email to Chris G. today, who lives there … perhaps he knows more.