Dresden in turmoil: activist exchanges Bundeswehr posters!

Dresden in turmoil: activist exchanges Bundeswehr posters!

An exciting incident occurred in Berlin that is putting the activists of the adbusting scene in the spotlight. On June 15, 2025, Frida Henkel, a well-known activist and adbuster, was caught holding a Bundeswehr poster with the provocative slogan “No military service is possible without a weapon!” hung in front of the criminal court in Moabit. This campaign was not the first of its kind, as Henkel had previously tried to place the same poster publicly. It's no coincidence that adbusting, a creative form of resistance to advertising, has become increasingly important in recent months.

The activist, who hides behind a pseudonym, sees herself not just as a lone fighter, but as part of a larger movement. Her group visibly protested against the police's actions that led to the search of their home. Such actions are part of a broader strategy to draw attention to social issues and show how adbusting as a form of artistic activism is increasingly coming into focus. Loud dnn.de Adbusting is a mixture of the words “advertising” and “to bust”, which means something like “to smash advertising”.

Solidarity in the Berlin scene

The Berlin adbusting scene stands in solidarity with Henkel. Various posters with critical content were hung around the city. The solidarity group “plakativ” also commented positively on the latest developments, and it was reported that the situation for adbusters had improved before the Constitutional Court’s decision. The public prosecutor's office dropped several cases against activists, which is seen as a big step towards the acceptance of adbusting actions. Indymedia highlights that there is now established impunity as long as one's own posters are hung in advertising showcases.

But what exactly is adbusting, and why is it so important? This method of creatively engaging with advertising aims to question the manipulative nature of advertisements. By changing or parodying existing advertising materials, a new level of meaning is created that stimulates thought. Loud Graffiti Wiki Adbusting is not just art, but a critical reflection of consumer society that challenges the boundaries between art and media.

Creativity as resistance

The creative protest actions by Henkel and other activists are not only an expression of opinion, but also a sign of social change. Your messages are clear: you want to make people think and point out injustices. In today's world, when advertising is omnipresent and often manipulative, the contribution of adbusters to critical reflection becomes even more important.

It remains to be seen whether Henkel and its colleagues will launch further major campaigns in the future. But one thing is certain: your commitment against advertising and the loud voices of criticism will not be silenced any time soon.