Life on Hold: What Does True Solidarity Look Like Beyond Duldung, Camps, Deportation, and Payment...

Lager, Duldung, Bezahlkarte, Essensscheine – Criminalization, Radicalization, Reality for Many People in East Germany This talk sheds light on how these terms shape everyday life. We dive into an existence marked by uncertainty, isolation, and psychological strain, both in anonymous big cities and rural areas of East Germany. We ask: What does “solidarity” really mean in this context? In this session, people share everyday experiences with a system that often systematically undermines human rights and dignity. We don’t just talk about the obvious obstacles like the payment card or residency obligation, but also the invisible wounds: the constant fear of deportation, the psychological consequences of isolation, and the daily experience of hostility. We highlight the specific challenges of life in cramped camps on the outskirts of big cities, as well as the social control and visibility in rural communities. However, this talk is not just about naming problems. At its core is the urgen