Berkley Center

Countries across Europe have been confronted with pro-migrant solidarity movements that engage both organized civil society and local political actors. The church asylum movement in Germany has revived the ancient practice of solidarity, drawing upon both its history and symbolism. The movement has also reshaped social and political contours. In this working paper, Julia Mourão Permoser explains that though church asylum has sparked controversy and elevated tensions between religious communities and governments, activists justify their actions on normative grounds.