jef - One European wall down, many more to go!

One European wall down, many more to go!

One European wall down, many more to go!

1257848774_9-11 pic pr_small.jpg By building and tearing down mock walls and Checkpoints Charlie at main squares of more than 30 European cities, the Young European Federalists (JEF) yesterday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin wall, and called for the unification of the European continent through the abolishment of visas for all Europeans, and the further enlargement of the European Union.

For photos click here. For a short video shot in Brussels click here.

Just as the hideous concrete wall was torn down on 9 November 1989, on the same day 20 years later, JEF members erected new makeshift walls in some 30 different European cities, only to tear them down soon thereafter in an act of symbolic eradication of the still-existing walls in Europe, namely borders and visas.

By using slogans such as "Europe, tear down this wall!", "Ich bin ein Europäer", and "Never again!" JEF members from all over Europe demanded that visas for all European countries be abolished. JEF-Europe Vice-president Pauline Gessant and Action Co-ordinator Elisabeth Velle explain: "The Berlin wall has been down for 20 years, but there are still invisible walls dividing Europeans in Europe: while some can travel freely, others have to undergo expensive, complicated visa procedures. Visas equal discrimination. Until all Europeans are granted full freedom of movement within Europe, Europe is far from united."

Apart from the wall-breaking performances at main squares, some JEF sections commemorated the anniversary by organising Berlin-wall themed parties, games, and round table discussions.

"This action sends a strong message," said Philippe Adriaenssens, President of JEF-Europe. "The Berlin wall symbolised the divide between the East and West, and its fall symbolised the reunification of Europe. We have tried to reenact this fall as a cry for further unification and further enlargement. This action was the result of a joint effort of JEF sections from both EU member states and non-EU countries united under the same European ideals! "

NOTES:

1. Photos and videos of the action available here.

2. Full list of cities participating in the action available soon.

PRESS CONTACT

Philippe Adriaenssens, JEF Europe President, president(at)jef.eu, +32 472 33 41 27

JEF international seminar in Tarxien, Malta | 17-23 March 2010

“The ultimate solution for a better life: (im)migration?” is an international seminar organised by JEF-Europe and JEF-Malta in Tarxien, a small village in the south east of Malta from 17 until 23 October 2010.

When speaking about immigration it is important to make the distinction between legal and illegal immigrants. Despite the obvious difference in their legal status, immigrants in both categories often feel unwelcome and excluded from their host societies, which is closely linked to xenophobic attitudes widespread across Europe and openly manifested especially in recent years, but also the lack of adequate policies and assistance of governmental institutions in host countries.