Burg/Potsdam (dpa/bb) – A broad alliance from Brandenburg’s politics, economy, culture and society has demonstratively committed itself to cosmopolitanism after right-wing extremist incidents. The “Alliance for Brandenburg” renewed its appeal from eight years ago on Friday and turned against right-wing extremism, hatred and violence.
Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) called on all citizens to join forces again: “Everyone must do their part to defend our free society against anti-democratic forces, against right-wing extremism and misanthropy.” With the call, the actors also want to send a signal in the year before the next state election.
They also wanted to react to the latest developments. In April, the teachers Max Teske and Laura Nickel published daily right-wing extremist incidents at their school in Burg im Spreewald in a fire letter. They were then increasingly exposed to hostilities and were also threatened on a social network. Both teachers are changing schools – this was announced on Wednesday.
The teachers reacted concerned to the hostilities: “It feels really, really bad,” Nickel told RBB, also with a view to stickers that showed both teachers and called on them to go to Berlin. “It feels like you’re in danger, and of course that feeling of danger is reinforced in a way.” Teske said: “They want to try to intimidate us.”
The appeal by the “Alliance for Brandenburg” – also in view of the Ukraine war – relies on a welcoming culture for migrants and refugees. “We want a diverse, cosmopolitan and democratic Brandenburg for all people, regardless of their ethnic origin, nationality, religion or world view,” it says. The economic upswing can only continue with the immigration of workers. “We oppose any form of violence, hate, exclusion and extremism!” The alliance was founded in 2015. The appeal has been renewed.
Criticism of the new version of the alliance came from the opposition, but also from the own coalition. “Underhooking against the right is not enough, because people have very real problems and very real criticisms of politics, including state politics,” said CDU faction leader Jan Redmann of the German Press Agency. It’s about concrete solutions. Left faction leader Sebastian Walter said: “Symbolic gestures and warming words are not enough to effectively combat misanthropy and right-wing extremism in Brandenburg.”
The support group “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe” called on citizens to show solidarity after the two teachers left Burg. “The pushing away of the local Democrats can only be curbed if the Democrats who are still living there would show their solidarity with the teachers. And now,” said the board with Chairwoman Lea Rosh. “Looking the other way doesn’t bring a better future, especially not for our children.”
The association has nominated the two teachers from Burg together with the Spremberg pastor Lukas Pellio for this year’s “Award for Civil Courage”, which is to be awarded on October 31st. The three award winners founded the “Schools for more democracy” alliance, which aims to encourage teachers to take an open stand against right-wing extremism.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:230714-99-401165/5
2023-07-15 02:56:49
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