Authorities probe gathering with NS-inspired motifs in Eschede
In the rural town of Eschede, an Algiz-Rune bonfire lit up the night. A mixture of black, red, and gold masked attendees led a torch parade. The affairs of this research team are now the matter of the law enforcement. However, the law enforcement also takes into account the unique regulations that govern private property.
After a presumed far-right gathering on a farm in Eschede, in the Celle district, over the weekend, the police are examining if any unlawful activities transpired. As stated by a police spokeswoman, around 50 individuals were present at the event. "The festivities stretched late into Saturday night," she said about the event. She mentioned the event took place on private property. "Different rules apply there," she said.
As reported by the daily newspaper "taz," Neo-Nazis from across Germany converged for a Solstice celebration over the weekend. The meeting was speculated to have been organized by the youth organization of the Young Nationalists, the youth wing of the ex-NPD, now called The Homeland. The paper published images of a research team, depicting several men and women wearing black-red-gold storm caps. They gather around a fire with torches. According to the report, there were rituals and symbols that echoed the Nazi era. Hence, a nearly four-meter-high wooden cross in the shape of an Algiz-Rune, associated with the Nazi SS-organization Lebensborn during the Nazi era, was claimed to have been burned in the bonfire. The origin and credibility of the images were initially unclear. The use of the Algiz-Rune in an apparent Nazi context is typically punishable.
For many years, the farm near Eschede has been a gathering spot for right-wing radicals, whether it be during Solstice festivals or harvest festivals. The farm belongs to The Homeland party. The police frequently patrol the area to maintain awareness, a police spokeswoman said.
Various organizations frequently call for protests against the events on the farm. "We refuse to tolerate right-wing extremist activities here in Eschede," Niedersachsen's state prime minister Stephan Weil (SPD) had said at a demonstration in October 2023.
For this coming Saturday afternoon, the South Heide network against Right-wing Extremism has called for a rally. Margot Käßmann, the former Lutheran Church bishop and EKD council chairwoman, was announced as the speaker. The police anticipate about 200 participants.
During protests against right-wing extremism, people from various sectors such as politics, unions, churches, and other organizations take part. "It is a clear manifestation that the overwhelming majority of our society firmly rejects right-wing extremist ideology," it was stated. Initially, it was expected that the gathering of right-wing extremists on the farm would occur this weekend - hence, the alliance had planned the demonstration.
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- Following the event, the police in Lower Saxony are investigating potential criminal activities associated with the NPD and right-wing extremism, as symbols and motifs reminiscent of National Socialism were observed.
- In light of the gathering, concerns over the rise of crime and extremism in rural areas, such as Eschede, have led to increased police presence and community-led protests against right-wing radicalism.
- The police spokeswoman mentioned that the investigation into the alleged far-right event is ongoing, emphasizing the need to apply unique property regulations while ensuring law enforcement agencies protect the public from unlawful and harmful right-wing extremist activities.
