In advance, leaflets were circulated in the city and on the Internet calling for “peaceful demonstrations”. It was alleged, among other things, that refugees were responsible for “shoplifting, break-ins, sexual assault, rape and bodily harm” and that the police were “completely overwhelmed” with the situation. There is also complaint that there is no money for “playgrounds, clubs (…) or social projects” but for taking in refugees. Based on the anti-Islamic agitation of the PEGIDA movement, it is also claimed, out of consideration for refugees, that “girls (…) are only allowed to wear long trousers in schools”.
Spontaneous elevator
Despite a short mobilization time, over a hundred people finally gathered on the Öhringen market square, with signs like “Germany for the Germans” and “No refugee homes at children’s facilities”. The crowd consisted of an unpleasant mix of recognizable fascists, AfD supporters and racist citizens. On the sidelines of the event, NPD activists distributed leaflets against German refugee policy. The elevator obviously lacked a structuring element. The racists could neither show a loudspeaker system nor a registration.
Scandalous strategy of the Öhringen police
Despite the lack of registration, the police present with just four officers did not prevent the racist mob from holding their meeting. While a union secretary was recently dragged to court in Heilbronn because of her involvement in an anti-fascist spontaneous demonstration against an NPD rally, the police simply let an unannounced racist elevator go ahead.
Church counter-protest
Instead, the law enforcement officers obstructed a registered counter-demonstration by around 40 people from the church and social democratic spectrum. With the assertion that the registration was too late, the anti-racists were urged to refrain from speaking, otherwise the other side would also have to have their say. During the whole time, the counter-demonstrators were confronted with insults and threats from the racists.
Further marches planned
Obviously motivated by the large number of participants, the racist mob finally left and announced that they would be back next Saturday. Meanwhile, a demonstration “Against the German Asylum Policy” in Öhringen is being mobilized in social networks. It is to be feared that a dynamic will develop behind the anti-refugee protests in the next few weeks. In the last few months it has become clear again and again what immediate danger for refugees poses from racist mass mobilizations. The shockingly high number of anti-refugee spraying, attacks against refugees and their supporters and arson attacks on asylum seekers’ accommodation speak for themselves. Only consistent anti-fascist resistance can break the racist dynamic.
We call for you to go to Öhringen together on Saturday, October 17th and to oppose the right-wing mob! More detailed information will come in the next few days, pay attention to announcements.
Prevent the pogroms before they arise!
No place for racism! – Neither in Öhringen nor anywhere else!