Peacemaking and the Hamburg Pride Parade

"No Place for Racists"

As Hamburg prepared for its pride parade, one of the more significant events of its kind in Europe, my group and I began a workshop on peacemaking, led by a volunteer from a peace-building organization. It offered a space to learn and explore more about peace, empathy, and activism, while also sharing music, laughter, and moments of connection that reminded me that building peace can be joyful.

The day began with a workshop taught by a representative of PBI (Peace Brigade International), an organization dedicated to supporting non-violent social change and protecting human rights. PBI gives its protection to activists who are in possible danger, allowing those who speak out for justice to do so safely.

The workshop started with introductions, which included our names and one word we associate with "Peacemaking." Some of the most used words were necessary, important, and others like discussion, communication, and freedom. As we moved forward, we transitioned into a more interactive segment of the workshop. This involved engaging in a series of activities designed to deepen our understanding of how the Peace Brigades operate and how we can advocate for change. Here, we created a map of strategy for activism (pictured below), each adding our thoughts to the discussion.

The representative shared that she had been stationed in multiple crisis areas, but was more focused on Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Colombia. She mentioned that multiple communities struggle with "disappearances" and intimidation from militia and guerrilla groups. Of course, each country faces its respective issues, and PBI is there to accommodate.

The workshop then moved onto another interactive game, where as a group we would physically position ourselves in the room based on how strongly we agreed or disagreed with a series of challenging questions: Is a strong military needed to keep peace? Is the military a climate killer? Should you keep a gun at home for safety? Can art and music help create and sustain peace? These prompts sparked energetic and thoughtful debate, but were not meant to find the right answer, rather to better understand different perspectives and reflect on our own. I especially appreciated this part because it brought together passionate, like-minded people who genuinely enjoy meaningful discussion. What struck me most was how no one acted like a follower. Choices were not made to blend in, but because of individual belief. Even when opinions were unpopular, people stood their ground, representing an honest dialogue. That is something that I believe is incredibly admirable, especially in discussion.

One of the quotes we were left with was "Earth is our mother, we are her kids, and we always come back to her." This line stayed with me. It offered a poetic way of thinking about the Earth, not just as a resource but as a reminder of gentle care, protection, and the life it gives us. The quote also acknowledges the truth that no matter how far you stray from your mother earth, you will always remain connected to it.

I believe this workshop was one of the more enjoyable ones, as we were immersed in the representative's experience. It was eye-opening to see how many people agreed or disagreed during the activity, and intriguing to see why. Additionally, it reminded me that some people care and have no problem aligning their actions and words. That is refreshing. It served as another reminder to always become a better person and make activism and volunteerism a priority, not just an occasional effort.

After our afternoon workshop and a brief pause for the rain (remember to always bring a rain jacket), we put on our best outfits and joined the Hamburg Pride Parade, alongside a quarter of a million people. Luckily, we did not get lost in the crowds as we interlocked our arms and watched out for one another. All around us, people celebrated openly and joyfully, following the procession of buses and loud music ahead. We left the sidelines and joined the crowd. As we walked, some in our group were handed small pride flags by kind strangers on the outskirts. The party buses were filled with people in eccentric outfits and hair, and they danced as the bus blasted pounding music from the external speakers. It was so loud that I quickly noticed the vibration in my body. Some of the notable songs included "Diamonds" by Rihanna and "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé. Being around so many people, supporting and advocating, reminded me how little we show up for communities in the United States and how much happier we would be if we did. Presence matters, even when you're not directly part of that community.

The day ended with two hours of free time and stressful, chaotic shopping (don't go shopping on a Saturday in Hamburg). In comparison to my local shopping malls, my malls here are so much larger and nicer. The shops also prioritize being clean much more than we do. But after a very long day of walking, talking, and using up my energy, we were happy to end the day.

With a little more walking and running to catch the S-Bahn (subway), we finally ended up at the hostel. After my day of reflection, I am always surprised by how quickly time passes but how slowly the days go by. I would rather measure time by moments, not time.

Catch me creating more moments tomorrow. Look below for the day's pictures and enjoy!