In 1989 I was eight years old. My parents were, as far as they could be, active in the opposition movement. I remember October 9th in particular. Two days before, on the 40th anniversary of the GDR, there had been demonstrations in Berlin and Leipzig, among other places, which were clubbed down. The following Monday was to decide how the ever-growing movement would be dealt with. Either there would be violence - there was talk of a Chinese solution - or everything would go off peacefully. There were combat units in Leipzig. Blood bags were being prepared in the hospital. Nobody knew what was happening. My class teacher told us children to tell our parents not to go to the demonstration. "There might be shooting." To say something like that to an eight-year-old is crazy. Despite all the warnings, my parents went to Leipzig. Over 70,000 people who overcame their fear came to the Monday demonstration that day. My aunt looked after my brother and me. Later, my parents returned, completely euphoric. In the weeks that followed, when it was safer, they took us with them on Mondays. I can remember demonstrations with 300,000 people on the streets. My parents did this for their own future and the future of their children. Everything seemed possible then. And in a peaceful process. Now, 30 years later, I'm back on the streets. I don't just want to see what's happening, I want to change it. Just like my parents did. It has something to do with values, empathy, and the will to shape things. We live in one of the greatest democracies in the world. And we should use that to get involved and help shape things. We have so many opportunities. I keep asking myself under what circumstances so many people would take to the streets again. Almost exactly 30 years after 300,000 people demonstrated in Leipzig, 240,000 came to the "Indivisible" demonstration in Berlin. It was moving to see so many people taking a stand for a vibrant democracy. After two travel sabbaticals, which wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and courage of my parents in 1989, I decided to focus on socially relevant issues. I want to help shape the future, take on responsibility, and am grateful to live in a society that makes this possible.
