Halle shop owners with migration backgrounds close stores in protest against exclusion

Shops close in Halle

Shop owners with a migration background in Halle closed their businesses for several hours on Thursday, 5 November, as part of a protest action. The action covers hospitality, craft and service firms. The initiative behind it is the citizens' initiative Migrastark, and a rally is planned for 14:00 at the Steintor.

Aim of the action

Spokesperson Dalai Mirzo said people with foreign roots are indispensable in many areas of social life. The aim is greater visibility and direct exchange with the public, since many people have had little contact with refugees or migrants so far.

“We are businesswomen, we work in care, in health and in administration. We are everywhere and we belong here.”

Magdeburg precedent

A similar action took place at the end of August in Magdeburg. According to the organisers, around 150 businesses with a migration background took part in the so-called 'Migra-Streik' and closed their shops for several hours. The action was prompted by high poll numbers for the AfD ahead of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt.