Mohrenstraße becomes Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße: renaming beats waves!

Mohrenstraße becomes Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße: renaming beats waves!

Berlin, Deutschland - The Mohrenstraße in Berlin-Mitte will be renamed Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße on August 23. This was decided by the Mitte district assembly and marked a significant step in dealing with the controversial street names in the city. The new name honors the African -born scholar Anton Wilhelm Amo, who worked in Berlin in the 18th century and is the first known philosopher and legal scientist of African origin in Germany, born around 1703 in today's Ghana.

The initiative of black people in Germany has significantly promoted the change, while the district of Mitte, led by the Greens and various other initiatives, demanded that the renaming. The term "Mohr", which previously adorned the name of the street, was criticized as problematic and racist, which led to a years of argument. A small festival for renaming is also planned and will be solemnly initiated by the new naming.

legal discussion completed

A judicial dispute over the renaming was only decided a week ago by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court. The judges rejected the appeal of a resident who had argued that the original naming was not racist but appreciative. The court said that road renaming is generally provisions in the public interest and judicial control in the event of complaints from residents is severely restricted. This decision is now final and does not let any room for further complaints.

As early as April 2021, the district office implemented the decision after the district council had voted majority for the renaming in August 2020. Some residents had tried to proceed legally against this decision, but their lawsuits were rejected by the Berlin Administrative Court. The Higher Administrative Court confirmed these judgments and saw "no serious doubts about the legality" of the renaming.

cultural and social signal

The decision to rename is considered a signal against racism in public space. Mnyaka Sururu Mboro, spokesman for the Berlin Organization Postcolonial, called the decision a great step and praised Anton Wilhelm Amo. Tahir Della from the Black People initiative in Germany also expressed a positive statement about renaming. "It is an important step," said green parliamentary group leader Antje Kapek on Twitter, where the reactions were mostly mixed.

The Berlin Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) had decided to rename Mohrenstrasse underground station. This happened in the context of a broad debate about racist and colonial street names, which has taken on speed since the Black-Lives-Matter protests at the latest. Postcolonial initiatives have been calling for these topics for years and have presented a new approach with the proposal to rename the street by the Bündnis Decolonize Berlin.

In the city, the discussion about such street names is no longer considered up to date, in particular by the critical voices of Afrodias -Poric civil society. This debate is managed intensively by historians and committed citizens in order to finally promote a fairer and inclusive society.

The district office Mitte plans to legally make the renaming by the publication in the Official Journal. Residents receive an information letter and preferential dates from the citizens' office to make a free description of their personal documents or vehicle letters.

Further information on this topic can be found at rbb24, ZDF and taz .