Chasing the Moon; Pursuing Resistence: A Reflection on Light, and Freedom

Have you ever followed the moon, watching it glide alongside you, feeling as if it’s your companion in the night, chased it as a child—or even now, in those quiet moments of reflection?

There’s something mesmerizing about how the moon grows from a delicate crescent into a luminous orb, casting its gentle glow across fields, rooms, and skies alike. I’ve been fortunate enough to watch the Moon from my window, to let its light fill my space in a way no amount of electricity ever could. The moon keeps me awake—not out of restlessness, but so I don’t miss the way it moves, its subtle shifts in the night sky, how it lights up the night with a beauty that’s both ethereal and grounding. It fills the night with a unique light, a glow that speaks of beauty, peace, and a connection to the world around us.

The moon, to me, is a symbol of joy and life, of constant movement and change. It’s a reminder of how light, even in the darkest of nights, can fill a room, a field, or a heart. And this week, as the blood moon hung in the sky—a rare and powerful sight—it felt like more than just a celestial event. It was a harbinger of hope, rebellion, and courage, standing in stark contrast to what we witnessed in Leipzig’s Hauptbahnhof on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

On that day, a crowd of young men, with a few women and older men among them, gathered with faces twisted in anger, fists clenched in Nazi salutes, and voices spewing hatred. Their expressions, charged with aggression, called to mind a scene of ancient hateful wars, prepared to do battle, their chests heaving with rage. They taunted the queer community across from them, making throat-slashing gestures that left no doubt about their violent intentions. Their chants of “Ausländer raus,” “Nazi Kiez,” and “Deutschland für Deutsche” echoed through the air, a disturbing reminder of a past many thought long buried. Dressed in the black uniformity of their movement, they sought to project power and intolerance.

But on the other side, standing firm and resilient, was the queer community and their allies. They too followed the moon, drawn by its light, by the promise it holds for those who choose to live openly, authentically, and in defiance of darkness. They were met with violence, not just from the far-right extremists but from the police, who sought to push them back, to quell their resistance. Yet, they stood their ground, their faces marked not by hate but by courage, by a refusal to let the light be extinguished.

In their colourful clothes, in their chants of “Nazi raus” and “We choose fun and diversity,” they embodied the very essence of the moon’s glow—a light that refuses to be dimmed, that persists even in the face of overwhelming darkness. Unlike their opponents, who cloaked themselves in the uniformity of black, these individuals were a testament to the power of diversity, of sovereign choices, and of the life-affirming joy that comes from embracing the light.

The moon doesn’t just light up the night—it reminds us of what’s at stake. It calls us to remember that in the battle between darkness and light, between hate and hope, there is always a choice. We can chase the moon, follow its path, and let its light guide us toward a future where freedom, openness, and love prevail. Or we can let those who wish to take away our moon, our light, succeed.

This week’s blood moon was special. It wasn’t just a spectacle in the sky; it was a call to action, a reminder that the light we cherish must be protected. It shone on Leipzig that night, on a city grappling with its past and its future, and it will continue to shine as long as there are those willing to stand up, to resist, and to let the light in.

So, the next time you look at the moon, think of the light it brings, of the joy it represents, and of the freedom it symbolizes. Think of those who stood in its glow, who chose to chase it rather than let it be taken away. And remember, as long as the moon shines, so too does our hope for a brighter, freer world.