Chaos Surrounding the "Chaostage"

The events of the weekend in Hanover demonstrate how much modern punk can be influenced by the media. A filmmaking team, whose previous projects have targeted the sensationalism of the audience, wants to exploit the violent riots of the Chaostage 1995 for its latest project, sponsored by major corporations like BMW and Coca Cola, and all punks are eagerly dancing to their tune. In a press release for the film's pre-premiere, the call stated, "The streets will be hot again on this day in Hanover's Nordstadt. Whether the premiere of the film will be the spark for a big bang remains to be seen until 03.10.2008." On Friday, several hundred youths actually followed this call and engaged in street battles with the police, which had been put on high alert, on the sidelines of the Toxoplasma concert. According to police reports, the aftermath included 60 arrests, twelve people injured, some seriously, and a large, free publicity for a film that is celebrated by exactly those whose image it continues to reduce in public to chaotic rioters.