Radical ideologies - CDU politician Walter Lübcke paid tribute with a memorial service.
During a memorial service held at Kassel Martin's Church, approximately 1000 invitees gathered to pay their respects to the late CDU politician Walter Lübcke, who was killed by a right-wing extremist. In attendance as an esteemed guest was Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who paid tribute to the former Kassel government president. Steinmeier praised Lübcke, stating, "We wished that Walter Lübcke could have continued to be what he was until June 2, 2019: an upright Democrat who took responsibility. A politician who fought for it, an attentive curious human being. A hero of action."
Lübcke became a victim of his staunch Democratic beliefs when he was murdered by a right-wing extremist. Steinmeier referred to the murder as a terrorist act committed by a right-wing extremist. "Walter Lübcke died among us, as one of us. The act was intended for him, but it also targeted us as a society." Steinmeier believes that Lübcke's death was necessary for sticking to the values that unify our society, making it an attack on everyone.
The president urged for unity in the fight against right-wing terror, stating that it won't just disappear. "Every day we witness the attempt to shift the balance of decency and consensus among us. And far too often, this attempt succeeds." Steinmeier warns that the consequences of such attempts can lead to violence and志燃 violence begets fear and silences those who require a democratic society.
"Where there is hate spread, opposition is demanded," Steinmeier emphasized, reminding us that we all have a duty to fulfill. He is convinced that the majority of the population in the country supports democratic values. The service was planned by the Evangelical Congregation Kassel-Mitte, the Kassel Government Presidium, and the democracy initiative "Open for Diversity." The gathering also saw attendees from the Lübcke family and others affected by the actions of the right-wing extremist terrorist group National Socialist Underground (NSU), as well as various politicians, including Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU) and his cabinet.
Lübcke was shot on June 2, 2019, on his terrace in Wolfhagen-Istha by the neo-Nazi Stephan E., who approached him from close range. The killer's motive was Lübcke's liberal stance towards asylum policy. The perpetrator is currently serving a life sentence. This murder is considered to be the first political killing of a federal German politician by a neo-Nazi.
