Black children's swim event in Berlin canceled after racist threats; 85,000 euros raised in donations

After the scandal surrounding swimming exclusively for Black people at the Berlin Volksbad, the association "Each One Teach One" (Eoto) experiences a lot of solidarity. Source: Christian Mang/REUTERS

"Black children and young people deserve protected spaces" – after a swimming event for Black children at the Berlin Volksbad was canceled due to racist threats, the association launched a donation appeal. Within a few days, a considerable sum was raised.

Following the cancellation of a planned swimming afternoon for Black children and young people at the temporary Berlin Volksbad in front of the Volksbühne, the affected association experienced a wave of solidarity. By Tuesday midday, approximately €85,000 had been collected, as shown in a donation appeal published on the platform "Go Fund Me."

The Berlin theater and the association "Each One Teach One" (Eoto) had canceled an event originally scheduled for Friday afternoon due to security concerns. The plan was to open the "Volksbad" – a temporary swimming pool set up in front of the Volksbühne – for a few hours exclusively for Black people, especially children and young people.

Initiator Suraj Mailitafi then asked for donations for the educational, youth, and empowerment work of the association Each One Teach One (Eoto) in an appeal.

"Let us show together that racist threats do not have the last word," he wrote.

The donation appeal also stated: "Black children and young people deserve protected spaces where they can experience community and safety."

Racist Threatening Emails

After the planned swimming afternoon for members of the association on Friday, there were racist threatening emails, threats of violence, and discriminatory comments directed at Eoto, the appeal continues. The goal of the action was a "nice summer holiday afternoon" for the participating children and young people and their families, according to a statement from Eoto.

Read also:

• Weltplus article: Tax-funded pool – The depths of diversity thinking in the urban class

In front of the Berlin Volksbühne at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, a so-called "Volksbad" has been inviting people to swim since August 7. The temporary installation is expected to last until early October. The "Volksbad" is the first project of the new Volksbühne director Matthias Lilienthal.

Visitors can swim for free after reserving a time slot, without the ID requirement that applies in Berlin's outdoor pools. The theater also sees the action as a protest against decaying infrastructure in the capital.

epd/saha