Migrant Businesses in Magdeburg to Strike Against Racism

On August 26, more than 120 migrant-owned businesses in Magdeburg, Germany, will close for five hours in a coordinated protest against racism and social exclusion. The action, organized as a voluntary shutdown rather than a traditional union strike, will involve cafes, snack bars, hair salons, kiosks, and other establishments. The protest is supported by the Flüchtlingsrat Sachsen-Anhalt (Refugee Council of Saxony-Anhalt), whose staff member Saaeid Saaeid discussed the motivations and expectations with the newspaper 'der Freitag'. Saaeid explained the unusual form of protest, the experiences of racism that prompted it, and the demands for political change. The strike aims to highlight the contributions of migrant entrepreneurs to the local economy and society, and to call for greater inclusion and an end to discrimination. The action reflects growing tensions and a broader movement among migrant communities to assert their belonging and rights.