BMC statement on the colour attack on Joe Chialo

Berlin, 25.09.2024 – The recent paint attack on Joe Chialo’s private home not only endangers him as a politician, but also as a private person, it endangers his family, his children and his neighbours. This is shameful and an attack on all those who, despite differences of opinion, are committed to a democratic, cosmopolitan, tolerant and anti-racist cultural scene.

The Berlin Music Commission has been campaigning for diversity of opinion within Berlin’s music and culture industry for years. At the same time, we are also firmly committed to a respectful dialogue between different perspectives and positions!

‘It’s not just colour! Symbolic violence is real violence – as the French cultural sociologist Pierre Bourdieu taught us. And it goes hand in hand with physical violence, as the throwing of a microphone stand at the cultural senator showed earlier. This brutalisation of political mores is highly dangerous. If we want smart, empathetic and approachable people to be involved in democratic politics on our behalf, then we must take an immediate and very clear stand against such unacceptable transgressions, which are aimed at intimidation rather than argument. They damage the cause and delegitimise the perpetrators.’ – said BMC Chairman of the Board Olaf Kretschmar.