It wasn't our first demonstration against nuclear power. In fact, Finje is becoming quite the seasoned campaigner. Without wishing to get all political on you, suffice it to say that it is something we feel very strongly about and we are going
about the job of brainwashing our child with wanton abandon. As usual, I did my homework and was satisfied that Saturday's demo in Dannenburg would be a peaceful, family-friendly one.
It was peaceful. Over 25,000 protesters, men, women and children, calmly but firmly stating their concerns. The police, whom I am normally the first to champion, seemed however not to be in such a mellow frame of mind. There were thousands of them. 16,000 apparently, along with water cannons, tear gas, guns and batons. They were decked out in riot gear, looking not unlike Robocop and frankly scary as hell. On Saturday, before the more, shall we say, forceful of demonstrators were to make their voices heard the following day, the behaviour of the police was, in my opinion inappropriate.
My point? When hitherto composed, amicable and non-violent people begin to vocally express their disgust at police conduct you have a dilemma on your hands.
Before we left for the demo we had popped a note into Finje's jacked with her name and our mobile phone number. Her instructions were, should she get lost she should go to a police officer, hand over the note and all would be fine.
As Die Polizei stomped menacingly past I watched Finje's eyes grow wider. "Are they police mama?" I answered in the affirmative. "Should I go to them if I get lost?" She wasn't about to let this drop and her gaze hadn't left the retreating backs of the Robocops. Increasing my grip on her little woolly gloved hand I avoided the question by telling her she wouldn't get lost because I wasn't about to let her out of my sight for a second.
Whilst mulling over our decision to take Finje along, despite her obvious enjoyment and enthusiasm, we were approached by a reporter. He requested my permission to speak to Finje which I gave and stood back to watch the show. You never know what will come out of her mouth from one moment to the next. He asked her why she thought we were there. Her answer had my eyes brimming with proud but sad tears:
"Because nooklar is making the whole wide world kaput"
Couldn't have put it better myself
Read more of Parentdish's award-winning Achtung Baby columns here.