Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander

The colloquial slogan in the local dialect Kölsch literally means "Ass up, teeth apart", encouraging people to not look away but to stand up, speak out and take action against racism and injustice.

"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.

At the same time, the AG Arsch huh was founded, which has since repeatedly supported projects and initiatives against right-wing activities.

On 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 [de] in Cologne.

This movement formed as a reaction to attempts of the politically right party Pro Köln [de] to organize a gathering of European extreme-right groups in Cologne in a so-called "anti-islamization congress".

"Wir stellen uns quer. Kein Rassismus bei uns in Köln!" (English: "With us no racism in Cologne!") poster on 20 September 2008
Press conference at rally regarding the 20th anniversary of " Arsch huh, Zäng ussenander " at Cologne Hotel Maritim [ de ] with view at event area " Deutzer Werft ": Karl-Heinz Pütz [ de ] (organizer), Wolfgang Niedecken (musician), Monika Piel (director of WDR and chairwoman of ARD), Peter Brings [ de ] (musician), Jürgen Roters (city mayor of Cologne), Tommy Engel (musician)