Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Around two million people descended on a long swath of Germany's fabled autobahn Sunday after it was closed to cars and trucks to make way for a giant street festival, organisers said.
Cleared of traffic jams and engine exhaust for 31 hours, the 60-kilometre (40-mile) stretch of one of Europe's busiest motorways, between the western cities of Dortmund and Duisburg, became a stream of pedestrians and cyclists.
Thanks in part to warm sunny weather, the turnout was double what was expected as visitors passed by 20,000 picnic tables lined up end-to-end in what organisers dubbed a moveable feast of "everyday life and culture".
"The motto of the Still-Life event is 'The table is your stage'," event spokeswoman Katharina Jarzombek said.
"Anybody can showcase their band, their hobby, their club or their group of friends."
A police spokesman declined to provide an official estimate of the turnout.
Among the participants from the United States, Japan and across Europe was a club of "Star Wars" fans putting on a tribute to the science fiction blockbusters and a brass combo called Tuba Libre.
The event was a highlight in the Ruhr 2010 European Capital of Culture festivities, which has seen Germany's rust belt region transformed into a hotbed of the arts with hundreds of concerts, plays and exhibitions planned throughout the year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments