Sea of lights in Hamburg (almost) stopped by police!

We - Nicos Farm e.V. - have been organising the "Sea of Lights for Germany's Disabled Children" for several years now. We organised it for the first time in Hamburg eight years ago and celebrate it every year on the last Friday in October. Beforehand, we visit daycare centres and primary schools, where the children make lanterns, which they then hand over to children with disabilities at the Rathausmarkt."A light from child to child."Together with the fire brigade, a samba band, a marching band and our clown Charly, we then walk around the Binnenalster in a lantern and torchlight procession, which we transform into a sea of lights. At the end there is a wonderful firework display in the middle of the Binnenalster FOR disabled children. The event was so well received that this sea of lights is now organised in over a dozen cities in Germany at the same time. Thousands of children have thus created a shining ribbon full of humanity and warmth from Sylt to Würzburg. In Dortmund, the mayor even took over the patronage, and in Lüneburg, the event is celebrated with stalls and information stands on the market square - to name just a few examples. In Hamburg, however, our campaign is a little more Hanseatic After we were able to organise this nationwide inclusion festival in Hamburg without any problems in the first few years, dark clouds have unfortunately been gathering for the last three years. Unfortunately, the Hamburg-Mitte district office, the PK14 police station and Nico's Farm are not the best of friends. We meet up with the participants at Hamburg's Rathausmarkt before the event begins and set up a (wallpapering) table on the edge of the Alsterfleet to hand out the lanterns and torches. The lanterns made by the children are then hung decoratively on a small line. And of course, as we are good citizens, we regularly apply for a special permit for this in accordance with the Road Act. Three years ago, we were suddenly told that the Senate wanted to hold a reception at the exact spot and on the exact day. They do that in winter. Outside, in the dark. Never mind, we said, we didn't want to disturb them and could meet a few metres away. We were suddenly allowed to set up our stand after all. We thought that was very nice of the Senate, but the police grumbled a bit and thought out loud about fining the drivers of the fire engines for illegally using their blue lights to accompany and secure our procession. Reason prevailed after all (or the effort to identify the drivers). From Rathausmarkt, we march along Reesendamm to Jungfernstieg and cross the road at the traffic lights to get to the Alster side. We're not the fastest with all these wheelchairs, so the transfer takes five to six minutes. "You can't expect drivers to do that," say the police. "Yes you can!" we say. Because that's part of the concept: raising awareness, paying a little attention to children (adults) with disabilities and sending a little prayer to God: "Thank you that my family is healthy" or something similar. Drivers will certainly understand this. The police are absolutely right when they say we can't prove it. That's right! We have never carried out surveys. However, one or two drivers have handed us a small donation through the windscreen. In order to prevent us from taking control of the Jungfernstieg crossing for the period in question, it was suggested that we hand out the lanterns on the Jungfernstieg. We took up the suggestion but, after careful consideration, rejected it because it seemed irresponsible for almost 1000 people, many children - including those with mental disabilities - to be so close to road traffic. As a result, a committee was convened by the district office, which, unhindered by the danger situation, took the decision - table on Rathausmarkt prohibited - must be on Jungfernstieg! corner of Ballindamm we always apply for a no-stopping zone of about five car lengths for the fireworks. As a loading area for the fireworks and for safety reasons, so that no parked vehicles are damaged. This year we received a cancellation from the police because we don't have permission to set up a table on the Rathausmarkt. We don't need it, we say. We don't set up a table. The children just keep their lanterns in their hands. Perhaps a bit embarrassing for a cosmopolitan city and unworthy of Hanseatic culture - but okay. By the way, last year we invited refugee parents and their children to the sea of lights. That didn't go down well either, because the police station prevented us from parking the three buses the children came in because we couldn't specify the exact length of the buses. It took the police more than six weeks of pondering to somehow prevent our action this year. They succeeded! Respect! Now we are supposed to sign an "event declaration" in which we undertake to "reimburse all costs incurred by the road authorities as a result of the special use" as well as "expenses for all measures". We have no idea what all this could be. Maybe sending the diving team into the Alster to recover the remains of the fireworks? That could be expensive. After checking his bank statements, the bank of the person mainly responsible has strongly advised against signing! So we can probably consider the "Sea of Lights for Germany's Disabled Children" a failure, at least for this year. On 28 October, thousands of children's eyes will once again be lit up nationwide by little people with and without disabilities in the glow of candles and torches.Addendum: Fortunately, the sea of lights can still be realised on 28 October, after further vehement persistence and negotiations! We are of course delighted and will be meeting at the Rathausmarkt at 18:00. This is probably the least we can do in a city that adorns itself with the label "inclusion".