25.6.2025
Bundesweiter Aktionstag am 29. Juni 2025: Gegen rassistische Polizeigewalt – Keine Einzelfälle
Oldenburg, 25. Juni 2025: Am Sonntag, den 29. Juni 2025, rufen die Initiative Gerechtigkeit für Lorenz, Pena.ger, die bundesweite Online-Beratungsstelle für Geflüchtete, United Against Racism Oldenburg, die Kampagne für Opfer rassistischer Polizeigewalt (KOP) und die Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland Bund e.V. (ISD) zu einem bundesweiten Aktionstag gegen rassistische Polizeigewalt auf. In zahlreichen Städten werden Demonstrationen, Kundgebungen und Mahnwachen stattfinden:
auch in Oldenburg am 29.6.2025 um 13 Uhr auf dem Rathausmarkt.
Der Aktionstag setzt ein klares Zeichen gegen die weit verbreitete Erzählung, bei tödlicher Polizeigewalt handle es sich um tragische „Einzelfälle“. Die Realität spricht eine andere Sprache.
Lorenz wurde im Alter von 21 Jahren durch fünf Schüsse von hinten von der Polizei getötet.
Sein Tod steht nicht allein. Er reiht sich ein in eine lange Liste tödlicher Polizeigewalt, insbesondere gegen Schwarze Menschen, People of Color, Geflüchtete, psychisch erkrankte Menschen und Menschen, die von Armut betroffen sind. Immer wieder bleiben solche Einsätze ohne strafrechtliche Konsequenzen; Ermittlungen verlaufen im Sande, strukturelle Fragen bleiben unbeantwortet. Mehr als 90 % der Fälle von tödlicher Polizeigewalt werden eingestellt (vgl. Singelnstein et al. 2023): oft ohne Anklage, ohne Prozess, ohne Gerechtigkeit. Nur in etwa 2 % der Fälle kommt es überhaupt zu einer Anklage (vgl. ebd.). Während staatliche Stellen von Ausnahmen sprechen, wissen Betroffene, Angehörige und Beobachtende: Es ist kein Zufall. Es ist ein System.
Diese Gewalt hat Geschichte. Von der kolonialen Unterdrückung und Ausbeutung über den Nationalsozialismus bis in die Gegenwart zieht sich eine Linie rassistischer und staatlich legitimierter Gewalt. Der Aktionstag fordert, diese historischen Kontinuitäten anzuerkennen und politisch wie gesellschaftlich endlich zu durchbrechen.
Die beteiligten Gruppen stellen sich mit dem Aktionstag entschieden gegen das Schweigen, die Verharmlosung und die institutionelle Straflosigkeit. Sie fordern eine tiefgreifende Auseinandersetzung mit der strukturellen und rassistischen Dimension von Polizeigewalt in der Praxis, in den Behörden, im Diskurs.
Der bundesweite Aktionstag schafft eine Gegennarration: getragen von Wut, Trauer, Widerstand und Solidarität und dem entschlossenen Ruf nach radikaler Veränderung.
Für Lorenz. Für alle, die durch die Polizei getötet wurden. Für Gerechtigkeit. Für Erinnerung. Für Veränderung.
Es sind KEINE EINZELFÄLLE!
Für Presseanfragen am 29. Juni stehen Sprecher*innen einiger beteiligter Initiativen und Organisationen vor Ort zur Verfügung; idealerweise ab etwa 30 Minuten vor Beginn der Demonstration: 13 Uhr Start Rathausmarkt.
07.05.2025
Birthday in Commemoration - Justice for Lorenz
Manifestation on the 11th of May at 2pm | Pferdemarkt
Lorenz would have been 22 years old on May 11, 2025. On this day, we want to take time to mourn and remember together. We want to come together to commemorate Lorenz - as a person, as a young man with hopes, dreams and a life that ended far too soon.
We, the Justice for Lorenz initiative and Lorenz's family and friends, are calling for a manifestation on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 2 pm at the Pferdemarkt. We invite you to celebrate Lorenz's birthday together as a day of remembrance: with words, with music, with the silent and loud expression of grief, anger and solidarity.
Lorenz was a son, a brother, a friend - a young black man who was firmly anchored in society. He was loved and appreciated. Many people laughed, talked and lived with him - and many miss him painfully. His sudden death as a result of police action on April 20, 2025 has left a huge gap and still raises many unanswered questions.
Our commemoration is more than just a remembrance - it is also an expression of a deep longing for justice.
We demand: an independent, complete and transparent investigation into the circumstances under which Lorenz died - and a societal debate about the structural conditions under which such a thing could happen.
Since April 20, people have been creating a space of remembrance, unity and commitment against structural police violence at the memorial site. It shows the solidarity with Lorenz and his family as well as the determination that his death must not remain without consequences.
In addition, a mourning room has been set up for Oldenburg residents - a protected place where people can be supported in their grief. Empathetic and attentive companions offer space for feelings - for grief, anger and pain - and are there to lend a sympathetic ear.
🕯 A PLACE TO MOURN LORENZ
📍 Staustraße 6, Oldenburg
📅 From Tuesday, May 6 - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
🕔 From 17:00 to 19:00 (up to and including May 17)
An initiative of the city of Oldenburg, the churches, the working group on religions and social organizations.
Lorenz's death does not stand in isolation. Time and again, people are the focus of state violence - especially Black people, refugees and people of color. This reality must be taken seriously and dealt with. Our joint commemoration on May 11 is an act of dignity and humanity. We remember in order not to forget. We mourn - and we stand together.
24.04.2025
“Justice for Lorenz”
Oldenburg, 24. April 2025
For the family, close friends and everyone who loved and knew Lorenz, this time can hardly be put into words. The loss is deep, the grief overwhelming. The pain of how Lorenz lost his life accompanies them with every passing hour.
The relatives need time to come to terms with what has happened. As an initiative, we ask for your understanding that they cannot speak publicly at this time. They will speak for themselves in due course.
The autopsy results have confirmed our worst fears: Lorenz was shot from behind on Easter Sunday night - with at least three shots to the hip, upper body and head. A fourth shot also grazed his thigh. What was previously presented as a necessary measure now looks like a brutal escalation with a fatal outcome.
We are stunned. We are angry. And we are afraid. As supporters, as friends, as part of a community that is already confronted with institutional inequality and structural racism on a daily basis.
The killing of Lorenz is not an isolated case - it is one in a long line of fatal police operations involving marginalized people. The case of Qosay K. in Delmenhorst, who died in police custody in 2021, remains unsolved to this day. Oury Jalloh burned to death handcuffed in a police cell in Dessau in 2005 - to this day without a legal investigation. These and other names stand for structural problems - for cases in which police violence was not sufficiently investigated, questioned or taken seriously.
For black people in particular, trust in the police has been severely shaken for years. This case doesn't just affect the family - it affects an entire community, an entire city.
We demand complete disclosure. There must be no cover-ups, no trivialization and no silence. We want to know exactly what happened that night - and why a young person had to die. We also demand consequences. Trust in state institutions is at stake. We expect the police and the public prosecutor's office to act transparently and consistently - in the interests of justice.
We are also calling for an independent investigation into the operation and structural changes. It is not enough to rely on internal investigations. Too often, cases like this have been swept under the carpet - this must not happen again.
We would like to thank the thousands of people who have shown us their solidarity. The donations that have been received so far will not only help the relatives with the funeral costs and legal steps. On Friday, April 25, we are calling together with civil society groups for a demonstration at 6 pm at the Pferdemarkt in Oldenburg. We are expecting many people - from Oldenburg, from Lower Saxony, from all over Germany. We are counting on a strong, peaceful sign of solidarity - for justice, for truth, for humanity. Because justice is not a private matter. It concerns us all. Lorenz should have lived. And we will not remain silent.
The family and relatives would like a powerful and dignified demonstration of remembrance. Security will be provided. Nevertheless, we ask all people - especially those coming to Oldenburg from outside - to arrive in a calm and respectful manner.
The family, in particular Lorenz's mother, urgently requests a non-violent demonstration - open to all people and supported by the memory of Lorenz. They would not be able to cope emotionally with a further escalation of violence.
We clearly distance ourselves from any glorification of violence - including on the Internet. If such content is circulating, we expressly speak out against it and appeal to everyone to respect this.