Recently, critics of the Corona measures – so-called walkers – and the participants of the “Human Chain for Solidarity – Wor tolerant” as advocates of vaccinations were still in the old town of Wolfratshausen opposite each other visually and in terms of content. At least some representatives of the camps are now taking steps towards each other – with concrete proposals, but with different assessments of how this should come about.
“We have already had initial talks and hope for a continued constructive discourse,” write Andrea Beck, Gerald Bruschek, Konrad Huber, Ulrike Krischke, Ines Lobenstein and Peter Lobenstein from the group “Wor tolerant” in a joint statement. In “mutual coordination and agreement,” the participants in the human chain and their interlocutors have already managed “to promote a level-headed attitude on both sides, which both the ‘walkers’ and those gathered in the human chain for solidarity have joined “, it said in a statement.
Nevertheless, the group still sees the need to take a stance on the “walks” and to formulate their position. They have therefore announced another initiative for this Monday, January 17th. It starts at 6.30 p.m., this time starting from the old Flosslände in Wolfratshausen, and should last until around 7.30 p.m. to send a peaceful signal for “democracy, solidarity and consideration in the pandemic”.
At the same time on the same day, the Wolfratshausen lawyer, golf course operator and critic of the Corona measures Josef Hingerl also registered for a “walk” in Loisachstadt. “Unfortunately, my wish to bring both groups together in a circuit in the city did not come true on the first try,” writes Hingerl in his statement. He was recently with the mask wearers in the city and “in view of the frosty mood between the two groups, he had the idea of bringing the two camps together for talks on a walk together”. However, he was unable to contact the “walkers” because “I couldn’t find any organizers”. In contrast, he was in contact with those responsible for “Wor tolerant”, but after discussions with the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district office and the police, he came to the conclusion that he could not wait any longer. After “Wor tolerant” is now planning its own event, he has agreed the following with representatives of the district, city and police: There are no conditions for the participants that would represent a restriction compared to the previous walk. In concrete terms, this means: no masks, no signs (“to avoid teasing,” writes Hingerl). Participants can get on and off the Obermarkt, Bahnhofstraße, Am Floßkanal, Sauerlacherstraße and Johannisgasse tour at any time. According to Hingerl, he is responsible for the entire walk and is still looking for volunteers to act as a steward. In addition, the lawyer speaks of the “Wolfratshauser role model” for all of Bavaria when it comes to the campaign and plays with the idea of ”organizing a talk show every week” about Corona topics and other things with local representatives from different groups. According to him, this has already become concrete and asks for suggestions from the groups for participants.
“We were surprised that Mr. Hingerl registered his own meeting,” emphasized the representatives of “Wor tolerant” in a letter of their own. “We had already signaled on all sides, including to Mr. Hingerl, that we were in contact with representatives of the walkers and were working towards an open dialogue that would lead us out of this depressing situation on all sides.” Contrary to what Hingerl writes, he “did not discuss his advance with us in advance, but also not with the walkers,” they write. Nevertheless, both sides would appreciate his “offer for an understanding”. Meanwhile, the group has its own idea of how a future dialogue could be structured beyond demonstrations and walks: They propose dialogue spaces or dialogue rounds in which individual, previously defined topics could be discussed regularly and openly for everyone. It is clear that this cannot change the corona policy of the federal states and the federal government, “but both sides have expressed the desire for an open, democratic exchange of factual arguments,” the letter says.
The most important question for the interviewees was the question of a possible amalgamation of the walks with right-wing extremist groups and ideas. They are aware of the danger of being infiltrated by non-democratic, extremist forces and want to work decisively against it. That is why the representatives of “Wor tolerant” propose an explanation as a first step:
“We distance ourselves from violence and extremism of any kind. We also ask that you refrain from demonstration tourism for the walks in Wolfratshausen.” After all, you have to be able to look each other in the eye again, especially in a small town like Wolfratshausen. Therefore, “Wor tolerant” asks again and together for a “calm and calm mood on Monday on both sides”.
– .