Faeser: A red line was crossed at the demonstration in Essen
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) has called the conditions at the protest demonstration in Essen last Friday "intolerable". "What we saw there is incompatible with our understanding of democracy, with our idea of peaceful coexistence in our democratic society," Faeser told the German Press Agency on Monday.
In Germany, everyone is free to express their opinion and demonstrate peacefully. "But the red line is: there is zero tolerance for anti-Semitic and anti-Israel agitation, there is zero tolerance for violence. We will not tolerate an Islamic theocracy being propagated on our streets," said Faeser. Anyone who abuses civil liberties in this way in order to propagate criminal acts and hatred cannot invoke the protection of freedom of opinion. Faeser said: "Our constitutional state must consistently enforce this line: with assembly bans when there is a threat of anti-Semitic and Islamist incitement and tough police intervention."
Following the controversial pro-Palestine demonstration in Essen on Friday, the police are now investigating one of the speakers for incitement to hatred, as the authorities announced in coordination with the public prosecutor's office. According to the police, symbols and signs similar to those used by the "Islamic State" were also displayed during the march. Around 3,000 people attended the peaceful demonstration. Women and children had to walk at the end of the march and had to stand in a different place to the men at the final rally, the police reported. In the event of legal violations in connection with demonstrations, it is primarily the federal states and the local assembly authorities that are called upon to act.
The controversy surrounding the pro-Palestine demonstration in Essen led to investigations for incitement to hatred, as a speaker's actions were deemed unacceptable. Despite the large turnout of 3,000 people, conflicts arose due to the display of symbols and signs reminiscent of the "Islamic State" and the segregation of women and children from the men.
Source: www.dpa.com
