Social | Seniors occupy house in Berlin-Pankow: They're doing it again

"This is our house" is written on a banner hanging in the garden of a well-preserved house. It's not in Kreuzberg or Neukölln, but in an upscale residential area in the Pankow district. The address may still be familiar to some: 13 years ago, Stille Straße 10 became a symbol of Berlin's tenant protests far beyond the city limits. The occupation of their meeting place by senior citizens was unprecedented, even in a city labeled a squatters' stronghold. The protest even attracted attention abroad. For example, 13 years ago, the squatters received declarations of solidarity from "abuelas" (grandparents) in Spain, who supported the then-strong protests of their children and grandchildren against EU austerity policies.

At the time, the meeting place was saved at the last minute when it was taken over by Volkssolidarität, a private organization . But that will end at the end of the year. "After 13 years of joint work, Volkssolidarität Berlin's funding of the meeting place at Stille Straße 10 will end on December 31, 2025. Since 2012, the association has supported the facility with a financial grant and staff, thus making an important contribution to the further development of the location," states the Volkssolidarität press release.

The statement also emphasizes that the dedicated users of the senior citizens' meeting center have made its continued existence possible. "The members of the Stille Straße 10 eV (Friends' Association) have organized all programs and events on a voluntary basis during this time," the statement reads. Nevertheless, the senior citizens' facility's existence is once again threatened. The reason is state budget cuts. Therefore, Volkssolidarität can no longer raise the €15,000 that the meeting center has to pay annually for electricity, gas, water, and garbage collection.

"We have received tremendous support, for which we are very grateful. At the same time, we understand the changing budget situation that makes this step necessary," Eveline Lämmer, a member of the board of the Stille Straße Friends Association, told "nd."

But no one at Stille Straße is thinking about giving up, as Lämmer immediately makes clear. The Stille Straße Friends' Association plans to take over the senior citizens' meeting place on its own starting January 1, 2026. To do so, they first need to raise the necessary funds to cover the running costs . Therefore, the Friends' Association has launched a fundraising campaign.

Since it became known that the senior citizens' meeting place is once again under threat, many supporters have come forward, remembering the occupation 13 years ago. The first day of action took place on October 18th. Many young people also showed their support for the senior citizens. 13 years ago, they were also supported by young activists from Pankow youth centers with mattresses and sleeping bags. "The occupation on Stille Straße is a sign that all generations have protested against a policy that closes meeting places just to save a few thousand euros, which are then squandered on highway or defense projects. Nothing has changed to this day," Patrick, one of the young supporters, told "nd."

In an interview with the "nd" newspaper, Eveline Lämmer expressed her enthusiasm for the response. She hopes that many supporters will come to the BVV hall on Fröbelstraße in Pankow on November 4th starting at 5:15 p.m. There, the future of the senior citizens' center will be debated. Among the political supporters are the Left Party in the district and in the House of Representatives. Lämmer says that the senior citizens are already certain: "We're not leaving the center."