German Team Newsletter, June 2025

Now More Than Ever! Workshops and Event Series “The Right to have Rights”

Dear friends, dear supporters, dear allies,

Attacks by authoritarian forces on democratic and emancipatory structures are intensifying worldwide — especially affecting marginalized groups like migrants and refugees, who often have no political voice. In Germany, this impacts more than 12 million people without German citizenship. They have no say in elections, yet must bear the consequences of political decisions. This needs to change urgently!

The new German government’s policies on migration and asylum point to a dangerous path: isolationism instead of human rights, exclusion instead of protection, and populism instead of facts. Plans are in place to restrict family reunification and to roll back the recently introduced faster path to citizenship after three years for “special integration achievements.” The new Interior Minister even holds on to unlawful rejections of asylum seekers at the border. This is a dangerous trend when democratic parties no longer respect the rule of law — especially as a far-right party now commands over 20% of the Bundestag, and autocrats around the world defend the rule of force, not the force of law.

What can we do?

Keep going, stand together, and fight for a society where all people have the right to have rights — now more than ever!

We do this in many ways: through the Pass(t) Uns Allen coalition, where we join forces with many other organizations to advocate for fair citizenship, naturalization, and voting rights; through events and workshops that create spaces for dialogue and learning; and through the production of educational materials, installations, and films that foster visions of belonging and solidarity. For years, the majority of this work has been powered by volunteers — to continue this vital effort and cover our running costs, we rely on your support. Help us now with a donation!

“The Right to Have Rights” — Workshops and Events Near You

Thanks to funding from the Federal Agency for Civic Education, we’ve launched a new workshop and event series. Through interactive film screenings and discussions with migrant and racism-critical self-organizations, we present the short film “The Right to Have Rights” in spaces such as neighborhood centers, cafés, and museums. We also offer workshops for schools, using the film and an accompanying educational guide.

What does it mean to be stateless, to live with a “toleration” status, or to have a nationality other than German? What struggles have migrants, People of Color, Sintize & Romnja led — and continue to lead — for equal rights?
The film invites reflection on the significance of citizenship and encourages action for a society where the right to have rights applies to all, unconditionally. Created as part of the campaign “Pass(t) Uns Allen” by RomaniPhen e.V. and With Wings and Roots e.V.

Would you like to screen the film in your city? Or do you know a school that would be interested in a workshop? Get in touch with Miman Jasarovski.

Upcoming Events

Film screening and discussion with Move Global e.V.: “The Right to Have Rights” at the Summer Festival in Berlin Global Village — June 27, 2025

Film screening and at Zakk Düsseldorf — September 2, 2025

Belonging Beyond Borders Network Meeting: Cyprus — October 28–31, 2025

Film at the University of the Basque Country, Bilbao — November 18, 2025

We look forward to seeing many of you at our events!

With solidarity,

The With Wings and Roots Team