Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander

On the 9 November 1992, about 100000 people gathered at Chlodwigplatz in Cologne following a call from artists from the Cologne music scene for a concert against racism and neo-nazism. This was preceded by a wave of attacks with xenophobic background, for example in the Rostock-Lichtenhagen riots. "Wir […] wollen […] dazu beitragen, die weitverbreitete Sprachlosigkeit zu der Entwicklung in unserem Land zu beenden" (English: "We […] want to contribute to end the wide-spread speechlessness regarding the developments in our country"), the participating artists wrote in a pre-published statement for the major event. Despite far too low security measures (nobody had expected the large number of participants), the rally took place without incidents.

The title song was composed by Nick Nikitakis with lyrics contributed by Wolfgang Niedecken. The participating artists also sung it at the Heute die – morgen du! (English: "Them today – you tomorrow!") concert on the 13 December 1992 in Frankfurt. It was selected for the annual German Liederbestenliste in 1993.

At the same time, the AG Arsch huh was founded, which has since repeatedly supported projects and initiatives against right-wing activities. For example, it supported the exhibition "Zwangsweise Kölsch" in 2000, which dealt with forced labor in Cologne during the Third Reich.

Among the participating artists and speakers were:

BAP, Kurt Bachmann, Jürgen Becker, Klaus Bednarz, Bläck Fööss, Viktor Böll, Brings, Rolly Brings, Charly T., EM:ZEH, Elke Heidenreich, Höhner, Jean Jülich, L.S.E., Willy Millowitsch, Nick Nikitakis, Samy Orfgen, 4 Reeves, Anke Schweitzer, The Piano Has Been Drinking, Triviatas – 1. Kölner Schwulenchor, Viva la Diva, Bernd Winterschladen and Zeltinger Band.

"Wir stellen uns quer. Kein Rassismus bei uns in Köln!" (English: "With us no racism in Cologne!"), poster on 20 September 2008

On the 20 September 2008, a follow-up event was held sixteen years after the original "Arsch huh" concert under the revised motto "Köln stellt sich quer" at the Domplatte in Cologne.

This movement formed as a reaction to attempts of the politically-right party "Pro Köln" to organize a gathering of European extreme-right groups in Cologne in form of a so-called "anti-islamization congress". "Pro Köln" is classified as an extreme-right group by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution in NRW.

Ten-thousands of people came together in the center of the city for a demonstration to protest against right-wing extremism and neo-nazism. Thereby, the planned right-wing gathering could be preempted and eventually prevented from occurring.[1][2]

The 20th anniversary of the original event was held on 9 November 2012 in form of another rally and concert for social justice.[3] The event took place at the "Deutzer Werft", a spare area between Deutzer Brücke and Severinsbrücke alongside the river Rhine. The number of visitors was in the 75000s.

Participating artists and speakers were:

Press conference at rally regarding 20th anniversary of "Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander" at Cologne Hotel Maritim with view at event area "Deutzer Werft": Karl-Heinz Pütz (organizer), Wolfgang Niedecken (musician), Monika Piel (director of WDR and chairwoman of ARD), Peter Brings (musician), Jürgen Roters (city mayor of Cologne), Tommy Engel (musician)

Özan Akhan, Athena, BAP, Dietmar Bär, Bläck Fööss, Brothers Keepers, Brings, Julius Brink, Chupacabras, Fatih Çevikkollu, Tommy Engel, Elke Heidenreich, Frank Hocker, Höhner, Hop-StopBanda, Kasalla, Carolin Kebekus, Klaus der Geiger, Köbes Underground, Gerd Köster, Helmut Krumminga, L.S.E., Sonia Mikich, Mariele Millowitsch, Nick Nikitakis, Wolfgang Niedecken, Walter Pütz, Karl-Heinz Pütz, Jonas Reckermann, 4 Reeves, Jürgen Roters, Peter Rüchel, Stephan Runge, Frank Schätzing, Wilfried Schmickler, Anke Schweitzer, Trovači, Viva la Diva, Claus Vinçon, Biggi Wanninger, Bernd Winterschladen, Ranga Yogeshwar, Zeltinger Band, two sign language translators and hundred-fifty "Trötemänner" (members of corps of drums).