Following controversy surrounding the commemoration at the Jewish cemetery, a joint statement has been issued
Following incidents at a memorial service on January 27th in front of the Jewish cemetery in Groß-Gerau, the organizers and the city administration met for a clarifying discussion. They agreed that such actions must not be repeated.
Shortly before the end of the event, a member of the city police informed the organizer that the time limit had been exceeded and noted that, in his view, the closing speech no longer had a direct connection to the occasion of the memorial service. In her address, Monika Kanzler-Sackreuther of the "Association of Victims of the Nazi Regime – Federation of Antifascists" had critically examined the role of the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Outrage and open letter
The actions of the city police sparked outrage among the organizers – the local and district branches of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Groß-Gerau, the Association for the Promotion of Jewish History and Culture in the Groß-Gerau District, the Association of Persecutees of the Nazi Regime/Federation of Antifascists (VVN-BdA), and the Protestant Deanery of Groß-Gerau-Rüsselsheim. The Left Party also expressed strong criticism in an open letter, and numerous private individuals wrote to the mayor.
The incident was discussed in a constructive atmosphere at a meeting in the town hall. In a joint statement, the organizers and city administration emphasized that further assigning blame would be counterproductive. The goal, they said, is to work together to promote democracy, human rights, and anti-fascism, and to oppose discrimination and racism.
City administration raises awareness among employees
Mayor Jörg Rüddenklau and Head of Public Order Lebrecht Viebahn stated that they were taking the incident very seriously. The operation was reviewed in a team meeting and in individual discussions to raise awareness for similar situations.
According to Rüddenklau, employees are not permitted to make any substantive evaluations of speeches unless criminal offenses are involved – which was not the case here. Freedom of expression and assembly are fundamental rights that must be protected.
Culture of remembrance and the city's responsibility
Monika Kanzler-Sackreuther and Walter Ullrich, chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Jewish History and Culture in the Groß-Gerau district, emphasized that the atmosphere at the memorial event was not heated. Rather, it proceeded as usual. Lothar Reininger, former chairman of the works council at the Frankfurt Adlerwerke, gave a moving speech about forced labor at the vehicle and mechanical engineering company.
Bruno Walle, meeting leader and local DGB chairman, and Georg Germann, DGB district chairman, expressed a desire for greater sensitivity in the discussion. Referring to history, Germann pointed out how quickly a country could descend into a fascist or totalitarian state. He emphasized the particular importance of keeping the memory alive.
Chancellor Sackreuther added that Groß-Gerau is one of only a few cities with a VVN memorial stone. This entails a special responsibility, which the city has always lived up to.
Mayor Rüddenklau reiterated his personal commitment to combating antisemitism, discrimination, and racism, and to promoting democracy. He has already confirmed his participation in an event organized by the "Action Alliance Against Right-Wing Extremism" and scheduled for March 14th at Sandböhl. The goal remains to stand together unequivocally for and defend democracy and human rights.
(GROSS-GERAU – RED/PSGG)
