“Explosion of hope” – this is the motto where farmers go for a walk during Advent with their heavy and light tractors, but at least festively decorated. Also in Bremen, where a trip is approved on the basis of the right of assembly, and in nearby communities in Lower Saxony – where road traffic law is used on a special use basis. This can mean problems. Especially in the case of one that is registered but not yet approved Cross-border trip from Oberneuland via Borgfeld to Lilienthal.
Bremen’s public order authority classifies the Funken route, which is planned to run from Aumund across the city to Blockland on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, as a constitutionally protected assembly. “The aim of these trips is to highlight the important role of (regional) agriculture, among other things, in food security,” says the Department of the Interior. It is also about drawing attention to the “economic challenges” farmers face.
“Today’s Practices”
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In Lower Saxony, where Transport Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) last week highlighted the character of the candlelight tours as a “modern practice” to the delight of the rural community, things are different: There , it is said, the lower transport authorities responsible for granting a special license. Congress Senator Özlem Ünsal (SPD) shares the view of her Lower Saxony colleague: Regarding “modern topics”, it should be emphasized that “country festivals, community celebrations or parades are an essential part of life community and urban”.
The light trails, which are also intended to edify the public, could be allowed for traditional events due to an exemption under the road traffic law. The term, says the department of transport, “is not precisely defined”, but “usually includes festivals and celebrations with special meaning to the community, with the support of the local population”. Examples include fairs, church fairs and harvest festivals or carnival parades.
It depends on permission
The recorder of the two Hope Sparks trips through Bremen and Lilienthal, farmer Jens Heumann from Niederblockland, is organizing the scene for the fifth time. In the past, permits were sometimes granted under the right of way and sometimes as a special road use. However, the latter requires a driving license for heavy vehicles. “Not everyone has that, that would be difficult.” To participate in a continuous meeting, however, driving licenses for a few vehicles were important enough.
Heumann does not yet have permission for the tour leading to Lilienthal and is eagerly waiting: On the second Sunday in Advent, December 8, around 80 vehicles are expected to depart from Am Herzogenkamp at 4:15 p.m. . The tour is expected to end in Lilienthal at around 8pm “to end the evening and look at each other’s attractions,” as Heumann says.
A five-hour tour through Bremen
His colleague from Lower Saxony Henning Dürremann from Stuhr-Varrel also had no news from the office at the weekend. As a co-organizer, he is now worried whether the trip through the community planned for the fourth Advent will take place, also because, as he said, “the preparation period is running out. “
To be on the safe side, Heumann would like the audience to be brightly dressed and – for the benefit of the youth fire brigade – generous for the candlelight walk on St. Nicholas Day. The meeting will start at 4:15 pm in the Aumund on the west pier and it is expected to end in Blockland after a five-hour journey. The route goes through Vegesack, over the Gröpelinger Heerstrasse, the Waller Heerstrasse, through the city center – although the exact route has not yet been determined according to the traffic department – over the Dobben to Schwachhausen, over on the Universitätsallee and the Hochschulring.
2024-12-01 20:52:00
#meetings #Bremen #Light #Rides #special #street #practices
## tractor Torchlight Processions: Balancing Tradition and Law
**World-Today-News.com Expert Interview**
**Subject:** The increasing popularity of tractor torchlight processions and the legal issues surrounding them.
**Expert:** Dr. Heinrich Schmidt, Professor of Agricultural Law at the University of Göttingen
**Interviewer:** [Your Name], World-Today-News.com
**[Interviewer]:** Dr. Schmidt, thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen a surge in popularity of these “explosions of hope” – tractor processions adorned with lights, especially around Advent.
But there seems to be some confusion regarding their legal status. Some, like the planned route in Bremen, are classified as assemblies, while others in Lower Saxony are treated as “modern practices” requiring special permits. Could you shed some light on this?
**[Dr. Schmidt]:** You’re right, there’s a certain ambiguity. These processions fall into a gray area legally.They blend elements of traditional folk customs with modern expressions of rural identity.
Bremen’s classification as assemblies is based on the essential right to assemble, free speech, and perhaps cultural expression.Do remember tho,this protection isn’t absolute. There are limitations regarding public safety and traffic flow.
Lower Saxony’s approach, classifying them as “modern practices” under exception clauses in road traffic law, relies on showcasing their cultural meaning and community-building aspects. This approach, while pragmatic, is open to interpretation. How exactly “modern practice” is defined, and what criteria are used to grant these special permits, remain unclear.
**[Interviewer]:** So, it truly seems each state is taking a different tack. What are the potential implications of this inconsistency?
**[Dr. Schmidt]:** This lack of uniform legal treatment could lead to regional discrepancies. Farmers might face different regulations depending on where they reside. There’s a risk of arbitrary submission, fuels uncertainty, and potentially discourages participation.
furthermore, defining these processions solely by “modern practice” or “assembly” might be overly simplistic. There are layers of tradition, economic considerations, and even political messaging embedded within these events.
**[Interviewer]:** What’s your recommendation for navigating these complexities?
**[Dr. Schmidt]: ** Earlier clarification from legislative bodies is crucial. A more nuanced legal framework that recognizes the unique characteristics of these processions is needed.
This framework should clearly define applicable regulations, outline the criteria for granting special permits, and ensure consistency across regions. It must address the balance between upholding safety regulations, respecting communal traditions, and accommodating the evolving nature of rural expression.
**[Interviewer]:** Dr. Schmidt, thank you for your insightful analysis.
**[Dr. Schmidt]:** My pleasure. It’s an crucial topic that deserves more legal attention and public discourse.
