Ban Rammstein concerts in Berlin? No way!

Admittedly – the alleged behavior of Till Lindemann at the after-show parties after Rammstein concerts seems repulsive and is probably the result of that toxic mixture of megalomania, permanent lust and misogyny that so many men with power tempt to actions that finally have to stop – on Aftershow parties, in executive floors, office corridors, sports clubs, church rooms or wherever. Whether the allegations in the Causa Lindemann are criminally relevant has yet to be clarified. The presumption of innocence applies to the Rammstein singer. The artist denies all allegations about his lawyer.

Something is moving, but the debate is getting out of hand

I don’t want to belittle anything here. The band’s drummer, Christoph Schneider, denies that “criminally relevant things” happened, but distances himself from Lindemann and says: “And yet things seem to have happened that – albeit legally ok – I personally don’t think are okay. ”

So something is moving. A crack runs through the band. And something stops. Lindemann cannot and will not continue like this. So far so good. But now the debate is getting a little out of hand. The federal government’s anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, was just wondering “whether the planned Rammstein concerts in the Olympic Stadium operated by the state of Berlin should take place like this.”

Exactly what he means by that is unclear. But one can read this question in such a way that Klein calls for the already approved concerts to be banned. That, however, would be nothing more than censorship. In our country, the constitutionally protected freedom of art applies. Prohibitions are only possible according to rules that are clearly defined by the rule of law. So far, however, they have not been applicable to the Lindemann case. One also wonders why the Anti-Semitism Commissioner even thinks that he has to comment on this matter ex officio. I haven’t heard the current events have anything to do with anti-Semitism since the debate began.

The anti-Semitism commissioner Felix Klein runs open doors

But the anti-Semitism commissioner demands, hardly disguised, concert bans. And also runs into doors that are wide open. Regardless of whether the allegations against Till Lindemann are true, according to Felix Klein, the women concerned should be taken seriously.

But that’s exactly what happened. The women affected were heard, taken seriously and experienced solidarity. Celebrities are already raising money for her. And the women have already achieved a lot. Rammstein is under public criticism. The notorious “Row Zero” seems to have been abolished, after-show parties have been cancelled. Alena Makeeva, the woman who is said to have brought the female fans to Lindemann, is apparently no longer doing her job. The Berlin public prosecutor’s office has also initiated investigations against Till Lindemann and Alena Makeeva following criminal charges. The result will have to be seen. And otherwise one rightly begins to deal with some questionable symbolism in Rammstein’s work.

That is a good thing. And maybe Lindemann is the bad guy who now has to bear the consequences of his actions. But be careful with demands for a ban and prejudices.

Article 5 of the Basic Law states: “There is no censorship.”