After the 'Compact' ban - The 'Compact' magazine's right-wing summer festival banned
With the ban on the far-right "Compact"-Magazine, the planned summer festival of the magazine in Sachsen-Anhalt has also been prohibited. With the ban, all activities are forbidden and consequently, the "Compact" summer festival planned in the southern part of Sachsen-Anhalt, was announced by the Interior Ministry in Magdeburg in response to an inquiry. The State Police will enforce this ban and prevent any unlawful actions.
The summer festival was supposedly to take place again, according to "Compact," at the estate of the former AfD chairman of Sachsen-Anhalt, André Poggenburg. The estate of the former AfD member in the Burgenlandkreis has been in the spotlight of the authorities for a long time because it is considered a meeting place for the so-called New Right. Martin Sellner, the former head of the right-wing Identitarian Movement in Austria, was also announced for the summer festival.
Police search AfD former chairman's estate
The estate was searched by police officers of the Landespolizei in the morning as well. In addition, according to the Interior Ministry, there were searches at an object in Magdeburg. Secured during the searches were, among other things, storage media, laptops, mobile phones, and documents. In addition, property in the form of stage equipment and trailers was seized. A total of buildings in four federal states were searched in the morning.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) justified the ban by stating that "Compact" is a "central megaphone for the far-right scene." She said, "This magazine incites in an abhorrent way against Jews and Jews, against people with a migration background and against our parliamentary democracy." The ban shows, "that we also go after the intellectual arsonists who fan the flames of hate and violence against refugees and migrants and want to overthrow our democratic state."
The ban on "Compact" magazine and its associated summer festival in Saxony-Anhalt has raised concerns within the media sphere about freedom of speech in Germany. Despite Andre Poggenburg's previous affiliation with the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt and his intention to host the summer festival at his estate in Naumburg, the Interior Ministry has taken a firm stance against extremism.
The ban on "Compact" extends to all activities related to the magazine, including its potential summer festival. This decision by the Interior Ministry in Magdeburg follows a series of searches conducted by the State Police, including at a location in Magdeburg itself, which resulted in the seizure of various items and property.
Despite the ban, the far-right scene continues to find ways to organize and spread their ideologies. It is crucial for the media to remain vigilant and report on these developments, ensuring that the public is well-informed about the ongoing struggles against extremism in Germany.
The Interior Ministry's actions against "Compact" and its associated events highlight the commitment of the German government to addressing extremism and protecting its democratic values. By taking such measures, the government is sending a clear message that hate speech and hate crimes will not be tolerated on German soil.
The fate of "Compact" and its summer festival serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against extremism in Germany. As the country continues to grapple with the complex issues of immigration and integration, it is essential that the government and society as a whole remain committed to upholding democratic values and promoting unity and tolerance.
