Squatting in Leipzig: Protest against gentrification sparked!

Squatting in Leipzig: Protest against gentrification sparked!

On Friday evening, October 10, 2025, the group “Autonomous Occupation Days in Leipzig” (Abeta) occupied an empty residential building in Lindenau, Leipzig. This action is aimed at the tense housing situation and gentrification in the west of Leipzig. The occupiers showed their presence with four banners and by setting off pyrotechnics. A rally was previously held in front of the house where the group's demands were made clear. The police are on site, but are monitoring the situation without providing any concrete information on how to proceed. The focus on the occupied place is not chosen by chance, as it also includes the social problems that gentrification brings with it.

The occupiers are open to negotiations with the city administration and the owners of the house. A published usage concept envisages setting up a neighborhood center with a café, community kitchen and event rooms on the ground floor. In addition, affordable apartments will be built in the upper rooms. This is particularly important in a city where rental prices continue to rise and there is a growing demand for affordable housing. The plans also include shelters for queer people and victims of right-wing extremist violence.

A historical context

The choice of building was also influenced by an incident in 1994, when Klaus R. was killed by neo-Nazis. The occupiers emphasize that part of the building should serve as a shelter for victims of right-wing extremist violence, as the case of Klaus R. has not yet been recognized by the federal government as a victim of right-wing violence. This shows that the occupation not only addresses current problems, but also addresses historical injustices.

The squatted house on Lützner Straße was built in 1905 and is considered a cultural monument, with Art Nouveau glazing in the stairwell. This cultural heritage could become an important part of the planned community activities, as the cultural identity of the Lindenau district is increasingly threatened by rising rents and investments.

Gentrification in Leipzig at a glance

Gentrification is a central issue in Leipzig, especially in districts like Connewitz. According to research work by Prof. Dr. For Dieter Rink from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, the beginnings of the occupation movement in Leipzig and the development of subcultural structures since the 1990s are of great importance. These developments have often led to a divided gentrification process. Rink identifies several phases of gentrification in Leipzig: from direct gentrification in the 1990s to gentle gentrification in the 2000s to classic gentrification from the 2010s onwards.

The tenant movement in Leipzig is strongly influenced by left-wing groups and the Left Party, which is also reflected in the current occupation campaign. The occupation is part of a larger protest against the rising cost of living and the loss of housing, which is increasingly becoming a public focus. Reports of violent attacks in Connewitz, particularly in connection with gentrification processes, are also a worrying symptom of this development.

In summary, the occupation of the empty residential building in Leipzig-Lindenau is a sign of the current conflicts about housing and social justice in the city. The plan to address both historical and current problems shows the commitment of the activists and the need for an intensive debate about housing, gentrification and ensuring shelters in Leipzig.