Refugee Rights Movements in Berlin as “New Social Movements”?: A Theoretical and Empirical Intervention

This article identifies the dynamics of the refugee rights movements that have emerged in the wake of the 2015 “summer of welcome.” Building upon “New Social Movements” research and fieldwork in Berlin, the research traces these movements’ motivations/aims, social composition/profile, mobilization strategies/repertories of action, and social location. In line with critical urban studies, the article also reflects on how specific urban space and existing political dynamics inform and structure refugee rights movements. Finally, this research seeks to provide insights into our understanding of the New Social Movements in general and refugee rights movements in particular.