Away with powerlessness and doom and gloom - it's time for a democratic counter-offensive! Reading with Arne Semsrott.

Much of what the political activist Arne Semsrott described in his bestseller *Machtübernahme* as a grim scenario of a shift towards right-wing conservatism has already become a bitter reality – and this without the AfD even being part of the government. Under the CDU/SPD coalition, we are witnessing a harsh border regime, the denigration of financially disadvantaged people, attacks on democratic civil society, an end to climate protection and a politics of fear.

What can we do? In his new book, Arne Semsrott uses numerous concrete examples to show how we can move from the defensive to the offensive, including through:
- strategic legal battles,
- care work based on solidarity,
- our own spaces,
- courageous strikes and the building of collective power,
- civil society crisis support,
- the fight for fair public administration rather than bureaucratic cutbacks that benefit the rich,
- referendums,
- enthusiasm and humour.

This book proves that we have all the tools we need to turn things round. We just have to use them.

Venue: STRAZE Hall
Doors open: from 5.30 pm
Start: 6 pm
Admission: free; donations welcome

A continuing education event organised by STRAZEkultur in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Foundation Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

STRAZE is wheelchair accessible. There is a lift and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. All toilets are all-gender toilets. Beanbags are available as alternative seating.