Few punks attend the Sylt protest rally.
A video of people shouting racist phrases in a Sylt bar has sparked anger across Germany. As a result, some punks have requested a protest on the island. However, only a small number of individuals have attended. A bigger gathering is set to occur on Sunday.
Not many punks heeded the call for a protest on Sylt. Approximately ten people marched through Westerland during the afternoon, all while carrying signs that read "Be loud against the right!", "Human rights over right-wingers", "Prevent racial violence of tomorrow", and "Refugees are welcome". The organizer of the demonstration envisioned a turnout of up to fifty individuals.
On Saturday night, there was a vigil planned at a bar in Kampen where guests had shouted racial slogans during Pentecost earlier. On Sunday, the group "Sylt against the right" will organize a larger protest, which is expected to draw 600 to 800 people. The punk community is also encouraging participation in this demonstration.
Previously, a brief video of a party in a Sylt bar became a source of outrage. In the video, bar patrons chanted phrases like "Foreigners out" and "Germany for the Germans" while singing "L'amour toujours." The video went viral online. Politicians, even German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, voiced their disapproval.
The Flensburg Public Prosecutor's Office is now examining the incident for possible charges of instigating hatred directed towards a woman and two men, as well as against one of the men for allegedly using symbols of an illegal organization. The number of reported similar occurrences is also increasing.
Punks have organized protests on Sylt in the past two years. Last summer, there was a "Camp for protest against the societal division through gentrification and isolation of the wealthy and for unity among ourselves" that lasted for several weeks. There were frequent complaints about noise, trash, and bad smells. This summer, the punks are planning to set up their tents on Sylt starting on July 22nd for several weeks.
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Despite the increasing calls for action, the turnout at the punk protest against racism in Westerland was smaller than anticipated. However, concerns over right-wing extremism persist, as evidenced by the larger demonstration planned near the North Sea on Sunday, backed by the punk community.
