TRANSLATION FROM THE AUFSTEHEN PAGE https://www.aufstehen.de/faq/
WHY STANDUP?
After waking up, standing up. Bob Marley says „get up, stand up!“. We have to stand up to change this country. No stateswoman, no politician, no party will solve our problems if we do not do it ourselves.
A majority of the population wants a social policy, a healthy environment and peace. But the interests of the majority have no majority in the Bundestag. Despite elections.
Many people are tired. They no longer expect anything from parties. And those in parties who fight for a different policy are too few to prevail. Therefore we need you, if you share our goals!
WHAT IS STANDUP?
#Standup or #Aufstehen is a social and democratic renewal movement. Everyone is important and can do something. Whether you‘re a taxi driver, cashier, pensioner, artist, temporary worker, small business owner, nurse, policeman or doctor. Lobbyists have big money, we have people.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF STANDUP?
We want something new: not a party, but a movement for all who want to fight together for our goals. We fight for secure jobs, higher wages, good pensions & care; a welfare state that protects against banishment and does not put an individual‘s life at risk; for top education from kindergarten to university; affordable rents; fair taxes rather than politics for the super-rich, banks and corporations; the preservation of this endangered planet; the protection of water, air, soil, animals and biodiversity; for disarmament, real peace diplomacy and détente; against proxy wars, arms exports, and the plundering of
disadvantaged countries which are the actual reasons for refugees taking flight.
We stand up against xenophobia and for true democracy without the superiority of banks, corporations and lobbyists. We want new majorities in Germany and Europe!
WHY IS IT WORTH TO BUILD?
We can take our destiny into our own hands – including Germany: this is not only shown by the movements surrounding Bernie Sanders (USA), or Jeremy Corbyn (Great Britain), but also the new social movements in France, Spain, Portugal and Greece, which are a causing a stir. Or the protests of hundreds of thousands against the (trade) group protection agreement with the US – TTIP. Together we are strong!
WHAT IS STANDUP‘s POSITION TOWARDS PARTIES?
The parties of the left-liberal spectrum – the SPD, the Greens and the Left – have not been able to forge a reliable alliance with each other in the last decade to bring about a change of power in Germany with a political counter-concept. They even lost protest voters to the AfD. The AfD races against the weak and wants to cut wages or pensions. In any case, the CDU / CSU FDP make policy for corporations and the super-rich.
The compelling will to change something is missing. The hope that anything can be changed at all is the main source of left politics. We count on this hope.
DO WE NEED PARTIES?
Yes, we need parties. We want to put pressure on parties. We therefore also want to support those who fight for our goals within the parties. We want to discover new talents. But what counts for us is what connects us – whether in a party or not. We want to overcome old divisions.
HOW DO WE WANT TO STAND UP?
We want to conquer the internet and the street. We want to shake up politics through popular campaigns. Everyone can do something! Talk to neighbors and colleagues, support our demands with funny ideas, enjoy politics together and get to know new people!
WHAT ARE WE STANDING UP FOR?
So that there is always an echo when people are reigned over. We do not have a finished program. We want to listen, respectfully discuss, and are open to different opinions. We want to change the way politics is done to create a common perspective for justice and peace. To do this, we want to exploit the power of digital technologies for democratic decision-making in order to use all our ideas and creativity for standing up. Not just virtually, but we also want to bring people together in real life. Transparent, unaltered and committed to the interests of the majority.
VARIOUS MEDIA REPORTS
Aufstehen! (Stand Up!) – A New Left Movement Emerging in Germany?
https://www.globalresearch.ca/aufstehen-stand-up-a-new-left-movement-emerging-in-germany/5656928
#STANDUP ( #AUFSTEHEN ) WITH NEW HOPE? Berlin Bulletin No. 150, August 14 2018 Victor Grossman
https://victorgrossmansberlinbulletin.wordpress.com/2018/08/14/stand-up-with-new-hope/
RT on #Standup #Aufstehen movement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4780jq3w9f4
Germany’s Left Party launches a new strategy against the extreme right
by John Wojcik
https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/germanys-left-party-launches-a-new-strategy-against-the-extreme-right/
Germany’s new ‘Aufstehen’ shakes up leftists
https://www.europeaninterest.eu/article/germanys-new-aufstehen-shakes-leftists/
Something is stirring on the German left
A new movement might not last, but it is a vehicle for genuine dissatisfaction (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/14868c88-a49e-11e8-8ecf-a7ae1beff35b
German politicians launch leftwing ‚Get Up‘ movement
Aufstehen, co-founded by Die Linke leaders, aims to energise grassroots leftwing to tackle ‘crisis in democracy’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/04/german-politicians-launch-leftwing-stand-up-movement
Germany: New ‚Aufstehen‘ movement of Sahra Wagenknecht is shaking up leftists
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-new-aufstehen-movement-of-sahra-wagenknecht-is-shaking-up-leftists/a-45047762
Will Germans Rise Up For A New Left-Wing Movement? What To Know About Aufstehen
https://www.socialeurope.eu/will-germans-rise-up-for-a-new-left-wing-movement-what-to-know-about-aufstehen