Right-wing Slogans at Partyhit in Schützenfest: Youths in Lower Saxony charged
Scanning of far-right text lines from the already dated Partyhit made headlines nationwide in May and sparked a debate about the spread of foreigner-hostile attitudes in the population. The case in Löningen was one of the first to become known. It was documented by several Internet videos.
The incident became known at the Shooting Festival in Löningen only a few days after a similar incident at a noble bar on the island of Sylt. There, young people chanted the lines "Germany for the Germans, foreigners out" during a party, and the State Protection Police took up investigations against them for incitement to hatred.
In the following weeks, more and more reports of similar incidents involving the song emerged at folk festivals. According to a recently published report by the editorial network Deutschland, the police were alerted more than 360 times nationwide. Organizers of major events such as the Munich Oktoberfest announced that they would no longer play the song.
A youth judge at the Amtsgericht in Cloppenburg is reportedly examining the opening of a criminal trial against the two youths involved in the Löningen incident, according to the prosecutor's office. The accused reportedly admitted the allegations. It is open whether and when there will be a main hearing. No statements were made about their age.
The proceedings against three other youths were reportedly dropped by the prosecutor's office without an indictment. The Behörde stated that it could not prove the chanting of hate-filled slogans with the necessary certainty.
- The Public Prosecutor's Office in Lower Saxony is closely monitoring the situation, as accusations of incitement to hatred at events across Germany continue to surface.
- Gigi D'agostino's "Partyhit" has been a controversial choice at numerous Shooting festivals in recent times, leading to concerns about the promotion of divisive messages among the youths.
- In Oldenburg, during Whitsemonday's Shooting festival, some youths were observed singing controversial slogans associated with the song, sparking an investigation by the local police.
- Despite the controversy, supporters of the Shooting festival argue that it's a cherished tradition, and the singing of the song is merely a harmless expression of camaraderie among the youths.
- The Police in Germany have reportedly received over 360 complaints regarding such incidents at various events, including the Shooting festival and other folk festivals, highlighting the widespread concern.
- In the case of the Löningen Shooting festival, while two youths are under investigation, the charges against three others were dropped due to lack of concrete evidence, according to the Prosecutor's Office.
- Additionally, some major events, like the Munich Oktoberfest, have made a conscious decision to exclude "Partyhit" from their playlist, aiming to foster a more inclusive and harmonious atmosphere among the attending youths.
