Ahead of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, the region's Refugee Council has issued a call to action: migrant shop owners are being asked to close their businesses for the day on August 26 in protest against racism and the social exclusion of migrants and refugees. The symbolic strike is timed deliberately — one day before voters go to the polls — to make the migrant community's presence, and its grievances, visible in a region where far-right political parties have historically performed strongly. For expats and immigrants across Germany, this event reflects wider tensions that many will recognise from their own experiences.
Saxony-Anhalt is one of Germany's eastern states where the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) and other far-right or nationalist parties have consistently achieved high vote shares in recent elections. The upcoming state election has again brought questions of migration, integration, and belonging to the forefront of political debate.
The Refugee Council's call for a strike responds to what organisers describe as a climate of racism and deliberate ostracisation — the social and economic exclusion of people perceived as foreign or different. Migrant-owned businesses are visible, everyday presences in many communities, and closing their shutters for a day is intended as a quiet but powerful statement: look at what this community contributes, and consider what it faces.
The chosen date, August 26, places the protest squarely in the campaign period, maximising its visibility without disrupting the election process itself.
Strikes by migrant or minority business owners are a recognised form of civic protest with precedent in other countries. The symbolic act of closing a shop — losing a day's income — signals that the economic contribution of migrants is real and voluntary, not guaranteed. It is a form of peaceful, legal expression of political voice by a community that in many cases cannot vote.
For non-EU migrants in Germany, electoral participation is extremely limited. EU citizens can vote in local and European Parliament elections, but not in state (Landtag) or federal (Bundestag) elections. This leaves a significant portion of the immigrant population with no formal electoral mechanism — making visible protests like this one of the few available tools for political expression.
The organisers are not calling for violence or disruption. They are calling for visibility. The message is addressed both to the broader German public and to politicians who may take the migrant community for granted.
Discrimination against migrants and visibly foreign people in Germany is documented and ongoing. Studies by organisations such as the Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency) consistently show that people with a migration background face higher rates of discrimination in housing, employment, and public spaces.
In eastern German states, where levels of immigration have historically been lower and far-right political movements stronger, these dynamics can be particularly acute. Migrant business owners report incidents ranging from hostile customers and vandalism to social exclusion from local networks.
At the same time, migrants are an integral part of the economic fabric of these communities. Shops, restaurants, healthcare providers, and service businesses run by people with migration backgrounds often serve areas that would otherwise face commercial decline.
For immigrants living anywhere in Germany — not just Saxony-Anhalt — this event is a reminder of several important realities:
Yes. Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are constitutional rights in Germany (Grundgesetz, Articles 8 and 5) that apply to everyone on German soil, regardless of nationality or residence status. Peaceful protests and symbolic business strikes are fully legal.
You can contact the Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency) for free advice. Many cities also have local anti-discrimination counselling centres. If you have experienced discrimination in employment, housing, or access to services, you may be able to file a formal complaint under the AGG. Consulting a lawyer who specialises in discrimination law is advisable for serious cases.
State elections and political debates do not directly alter individual residence permits, which are governed by federal law. However, changes in federal government policy following elections can affect immigration law over time. If you have concerns about your specific situation, consult the BAMF website or speak to your Ausländerbehörde or a qualified migration lawyer.
The migrant business strike in Saxony-Anhalt on August 26 is a peaceful, legally protected act of civic protest that reflects real and documented experiences of racism and exclusion. Whether or not you are in Saxony-Anhalt, it is worth paying attention to this event as a signal of the broader conditions facing immigrant communities in Germany.
If you have experienced discrimination, reach out to the Antidiskriminierungsstelle or a local Beratungsstelle. Know your rights. And if you want to support or engage with migrant community organisations in your area, local Refugee Councils (Flüchtlingsräte) are a good starting point.
Source: IamExpat Germany
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