2011
On the anniversary of the 1945 bombing, neo-Nazis paralyzed the city center for hours. As a result, Aktion © was founded as an action group against right-wing violence in Chemnitz.
Aktion © has since been involved in various projects promoting democracy, tolerance, and civic courage. Co-organizing March 5th as Chemnitz Peace Day is a key focus of their commitment.
In preparation for Chemnitz Peace Day 2012, the first peace banners were created. 23 Chemnitz daycare centers, schools, and youth facilities participated.
2012
In collaboration with the AG Chemnitzer Friedenstag (Chemnitz Peace Day Working Group), Aktion © presented over 200 meters of large-format posters on construction fence panels in the Neumarkt.
In September 2012, we received an invitation to the Federal President’s citizens’ festival.
From autumn 2012, the creation of large-format posters for Chemnitz Peace Day began again.
At this time, around 1000 children and young people in 50 daycare centers, schools, and youth facilities were involved.
2013
We launched a joint campaign with the Freie Presse Chemnitz newspaper. For three weeks, a large-format poster was featured and explained in the newspaper every day.
For Chemnitz Peace Day, we presented over 400 meters of large-format posters on construction fence panels in the Neumarkt and on Bahnhofstraße, at the town hall, as well as on and inside the Galerie Roter Turm, at the DAStietz cultural department store, and at the opera house.
In October, we received the Saxon Citizens’ Prize in the category of Commitment in Schools.
2014
Aktion © organized the commemorative event ‘Sammelpunkt Heizhaus’ (Meeting Point Engine House) marking the last Jewish deportation from Chemnitz to Theresienstadt in 1945. The program included a reading by Chemnitz students and a lecture by Dr. Jürgen Nitsche in the presence of Holocaust survivor Justin Sonder.
On March 5th, we once again significantly contributed to Peace Day with our banners.
The Freie Presse newspaper acknowledged the peace banners and the project with a special supplement.
2015
“The citizens’ initiative Aktion © received the Peace Prize of the City of Chemnitz.
In addition to the exhibition for Chemnitz Peace Day, 24 selected peace banners traveled to Dresden and were exhibited in the Kreuzkirche Dresden between March and May.