Resisting the System: The Role of Self-Organised Refugee and Migrant Groups in Berlin. A Case Study of The Voice Forum Berlin

The German border regime has established a range of border mechanisms that restrict the freedom of movement of refugees and migrants. In response, self-organised groups in major cities like Berlin, where a large number of refugees and migrants are concentrated, have emerged to challenge and confront these movement restrictions. This research aims to explore how a self-organised group can resist the limitations imposed by the German asylum system. Based on a case study, we seek to apply a methodology that prioritises the narratives of the participants, in order to better understand their socio-spatial positioning, the framing of their struggles and their collective forms of action. Some of our findings suggest that among group members there is a strong identification with past struggles, a commitment of solidarity with the current situation of migrants and refugees, as well as a varied use of tactics ranging from protest to digital activism. This research highlights the role that self-organised groups can play in shaping resistance to restrictive migration policies in Germany.