Dear Flow ...
In the article you printed, KGK was presented as an effective and well working group in the struggle against gentrification in Berlin. But the reality is different.
In most of the autonomist and anarchist groups in Berlin there is no backing for most of the actions of KGK. The main reason for this is that it seems that KGK defines the conflicts about gentrification and the oppression of working class people as a lifestyle question: "politically correct" working class lifestyle versus "Yuppie Lifestyle".
The comments of KGK about their actions gives the impression that they are not able to analyse the economic and political processes behind gentrification. Lacking that, KGK compensates by having the arrogance to define what's "p.c. working class lifestyle" and what is to be destroyed: "yuppie lifestyle."
This has had effects - in recent years projects or shops were terrorised by KGK because KGK defined them as "Yuppies" or "upper class bastards" without having a closer look at what was really happening behind, the maybe somewhat more stylish, shop front windows. For example, in one case they destroyed the windows of a new clothing shop, run by a women's collective, only because it looked new and maybe a little fashionable, ignoring the fact that this collective manufactured all the clothes themselves on an equal income - decision making power basis. This also meant that this shop could avoid buying from the [cheaper] mass producers of textiles with their exploitative working conditions.
This instance and those of other examples, gave many people, including most anti gentrification activists in Berlin, the impression that KGK was more a "ultra - orthodox working class taste enforcement authority" than an effective kind of opposition to the causes of gentrification and the eviction of working class people from city centres.
There are other anti gentrification groups, especially in East Berlin, which are working effectively - mixing radical action, squatting, actions against speculators with community work, tenancy, practical and legal advice. These groups not KGK, have greater support in these areas - and especially in the struggle against gentrification - this support from a wide range of sectors is necessary. "Taste Control" terror is not helpful in building up a strong opposition against the plans of government and big business.