Berlin's district office announces: Mohrenstraße vanishes - City rejoices in name change celebration!
After a lengthy legal battle, the renaming of Mohrenstraße in Berlin to Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße has been approved and is now set to take place. The district office of Berlin-Mitte announced the change on July 9, 2025, following the dismissal of all appeals by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court[1][2][3].
The renaming was initially reported by the Berliner Zeitung in 2020, and the decision was made democratically and legally implemented according to court rulings[1][2][4]. The district office has been responsible for the renaming process and has dispelled all rumors about the name change.
The change comes as a result of the outdated and racially insensitive nature of the term "Mohr," which historically referred derogatorily to Black people. The renaming honors Anton Wilhelm Amo, an 18th-century African-born philosopher and the first known Black academic in Germany[1][2][4]. The district and supporters view the change as a respectful confrontation with Germany’s colonial past and an effort to address racial discrimination embedded in public spaces.
Despite the legal clearance, the renaming was unpopular among many Berliners, which contributed to the lengthy delay due to the appeals process and administrative hurdles. Now that legal obstacles have been removed, the district plans to implement the change with public events and new signage[1][2].
The renaming will take place on August 23, 2025, as planned by the district office. With the renaming, Mohrenstraße will become Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße, a significant change in the city of Berlin.
References
- Berliner Zeitung. (2020). Mohrenstraße soll in Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße umbenannt werden. Retrieved from https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/politik/berlin/mohrenstrasse-soll-in-anton-wilhelm-amo-strasse-umbenannt-werden-34199006
- Berliner Morgenpost. (2021). Mohrenstraße wird in Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße umbenannt. Retrieved from https://www.berliner-morgenpost.de/politik/berlin/mohrenstrasse-wird-in-anton-wilhelm-amo-strasse-umbenannt-40484456
- Tagesspiegel. (2025). Mohrenstraße wird in Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße umbenannt. Retrieved from https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/mohrenstrasse-wird-in-anton-wilhelm-amo-strasse-umbenannt/26498734.html
- Deutsche Welle. (2020). Mohrenstraße in Berlin wird in Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße umbenannt. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/de/mohrenstrasse-in-berlin-wird-in-anton-wilhelm-amo-strasse-umbenannt/a-55338373
Policy and legislation surrounding the name change of Mohrenstraße in Berlin to Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße were heavily debated in the realm of politics, often appearing in general news. Despite the initial backlash, the renaming was eventually approved after a lengthy legal battle and is now set to take place.
