A street in central Berlin with a problematic name was set to be renamed on Saturday, but a last minute court decision has suspended the change.
Berlin’s Mohrenstrasse was set to officially become Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Strasse on Saturday, marking the end of a multi-decade campaign to change a name which is viewed by many as racist and outdated.
But a Berlin court has now temporarily banned renaming the street.
Adding to the confusion, some signs on the street in question have already been changed (with the soon-to-be outdated name crossed out below them).
As of Friday afternoon, it’s unclear if a ceremony to officially mark the name change will go forward on Saturday.
What is the dispute?
Berlin’s Mitte district, led by the Greens, has been pushing for years to rename Mohrenstraße. Proponents of the change say the street’s current name comes from a term that is now considered racist.
But some opponents to the name change had brought legal challenges, including a last-minute urgent application to suspend the change, which has now been upheld.
The court has ruled that although the district office order to change the street name was “lawful,” there was no “particular urgency” to justify its immediate enforcement. Therefore the court has effectively suspended the name change until a number of pending lawsuits are resolved.
Even before the latest setback, the path to renaming has been long and contentious, marked by fierce opposition from some residents and historians who argue that the old name should remain for historical reasons.
The word “Mohr” in German refers to a Moor, or a person of North African or Iberian descent. “Mohrenstrasse” was so named because of the historical presence of black slaves or former slaves in the area.
Campaigners for the name change have argued that “Mohr” is a term rooted in Germany’s colonial past, often used in a derogatory manner against Black people.
For many activists, changing the street’s name is about confronting this painful legacy, fostering inclusion, and promoting recognition of historically marginalized figures.
Who was Anton Wilhelm Amo?
Anton Wilhelm Amo – a pioneering philosopher from Ghana who attained a doctorate in Germany during the Enlightenment era and challenged prevailing prejudices of his time – was chosen as the street’s new namesake to embody this vision.
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Amo’s philosophical works, particularly on human rights and anti-racism, challenged Eurocentric perspectives and, according to campaigners, resonate deeply with today’s ongoing quests for justice and recognition.
“We celebrate this historic step against racism and colonial continuities in public space together,” campaigners wrote about the name-changing event scheduled for Saturday.
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Honouring Amo with a street name in central Berlin is intended to represent a purposeful act of cultural diplomacy, connecting historical erasures with contemporary aspirations.
What happens now?
A renaming ceremony, with music and speeches, was scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 23rd at 2pm at Hausvogteiplatz in Berlin’s Mitte neighbourhood.
At the timing of writing, neither the organisers of the ceremony nor the Mitte district office has indicated that the ceremony will not go ahead as planned.
According to the original plans, the old street signs saying “Mohrenstrasse” are due to remain visible but crossed out beneath the new “Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße” signs for the next six months. This measure aims to help residents, businesses, visitors, and delivery services find their way during the name change period.
The Mohrenstraße U-Bahn station, located on the U2 line, is also set to be renamed in the near future to reflect the new street name, according to the BVG. The slight delay is the result result of the various additional logistical challenges involved in renaming a public transit station — such as updating maps, automated announcements, and signage.
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Berlin’s authorities have also taken steps to minimize inconvenience for individuals and organisations affected by the change. Residents and businesses in the street will be able to update their official address documents free of charge at the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office).
The city is providing information and logistical support to ensure a smooth switch, including dedicated appointment slots and services to cover changes to IDs, vehicle registrations, business licenses, and postal addresses.
