A swimming day providing Black children and their families exclusive access to a local pool in Berlin has been scrapped after organisers found themselves facing a litany of racist abuse.
The event, which was scheduled for earlier this month, was arranged by the Volksbühne theatre in partnership with Each One Teach One (EOTO), a Berlin-based anti-Black racism project, to help dismantle barriers that can deter Black children from swimming.
The one-off session was due to take place at the Volksbühne’s temporary “Volksbad” pool.
While the pool has previously been reserved for other groups without incident, including members of the LGBTQ+ community and socially disadvantaged young people, the decision to dedicate a session specifically to Black children attracted backlash from rightwing pundits and politicians.
Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel described the move as “an apartheid” in which “white people are temporarily denied access,” before calling for tax funds for such events to be “cut immediately.”
Following the announcement of the event, the AfD, which has led in German polls this year, posted an AI-generated image on X, reading: “Racial segregation at taxpayers' expense in Berlin: Are you white? Then no entry.”
Such criticism was echoed by Dennis Hohloch, a member of the Brandenburg state parliament, who took to X ahead of the swimming day to write: “I'd suggest: All whites tomorrow from 12:00 p.m. to the Volksbad! Take a look at what happens with taxpayers' money.”
The event had been as promoted as a “positive measure to promote structurally disadvantaged groups” by the theatre, intended to challenge longstanding stereotypes around Black people and swimming, while addressing barriers such as access, cost and a lack of representation that can discourage participation.
But citing a “nationwide wave of anti-Black racism and incitement,” the barrage of hate from rightwing campaigners has since led to its cancellation, where the organisers said that they can no longer “guarantee the safe arrival and departure of registered attendees”.
Hundreds of people attended anti-racism protests held outside the theatre following the cancellation on Friday.
Matthias Lilienthal, the creative director of the Volksbühne, has said that in spite of the cancellation, the theatre will “of course, continue to offer positive initiatives for structurally disadvantaged people.
“We stand in solidarity – today and every day – with all those subjected to racism and right-wing hostility,” he added.
In a post on Instagram, Berlin's senator for anti-discrimination, Cansel Kiziltepe called the cancellation “completely unacceptable.”
Responding to the “apartheid” claims by the AfD, Kiziltepe stressed: “Anti-discrimination does not mean ignoring existing inequalities.
“Racism and exclusion are part of the daily reality of Black people. And we all need to do something to counter this and create safe spaces.”
