Transparent "Internationale Studentenkooperation"

“International student alliance”Banner, 1989On 17 November 1989 students from Berlin’s Humboldt-Universität (Humboldt University) demonstrated on Bebelplatz right across from the main university building on Unter den Linden. They were part of nation-wide protests that attracted around 10,000 students.In mid-October students at Humboldt-Universität had formed an independent council, which was approved by university directors on 3 November. It broke the monopoly of the Free German Youth (FDJ) organisation, which was affiliated with the East German government and Socialist Unity Party (SED) and had thus far been responsible for student affairs. Universities had a strict system of control and discipline. Active commitment to the state was one of the criteria for enrolment. And free choice of subject matter was not allowed.The demonstration on 17 November protested the continuation of this strict university system despite the democratisation underway in other arenas. Among other things, students called for an end to mandatory courses in Marxism-Leninism, an end to the school-like atmosphere at universities, free choice of subject matter, and a voice in shaping all aspects of university policy.Whether this banner was actually used at the demonstration in Berlin is not known. Nor are the specific political ideas of its makers. What is clear, however, is that the poster was an impromptu creation by people still learning how to design such objects. This is evident from the faint trace lines for the letters and interlocking golden rings.