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The Green Party of Darmstadt expresses solidarity with the employees of the Elisabethenstift
The staff council of the Elisabethenstift has addressed the workforce in an urgent letter. In it, they call on employees to exercise their right to vote, to give a voice to democratic forces, and to take a stand against racism, intolerance, and hatred.
At the same time, she draws attention to the worrying social developments: The political debate in Germany is increasingly shifting to the right, misanthropic narratives are becoming socially acceptable, and many people with a migration background increasingly feel excluded or even threatened.
Social media channels and online media have exploited the letter to publicly attack the Elisabethenstift. As a result, members of the staff council and reception staff in particular have become targets of threats and intimidation attempts.
The Elisabethenstift is a Christian hospital whose mission statement clearly commits it to charity, compassion, and respect. Fifteen years ago, Heiko Depner headed the hospital's corporate communications department and is very familiar with its values and the people who work there.
“The employee representatives have quite rightly pointed out that our democratic coexistence is in danger when people are devalued because of their origin. Many people with a migration background experience daily that they are no longer perceived as part of this society – not because of their behavior, but because of their name or their appearance. This is a development that should concern us all,” emphasizes Heiko Depner, spokesperson for Alliance 90/The Greens Darmstadt.
The claim that the Elisabethenstift would fire people simply for voting for a particular political party is false. Labor law does indeed apply here as well: anyone who expresses racist or xenophobic views must expect consequences. This debate was initiated by the president of the Diakonie (Protestant social welfare organization) – and it is now being deliberately misrepresented by certain political factions. "The employee representatives have taken a stand. They have clearly positioned themselves in favor of democracy and against hate speech. That deserves respect – not threats. We stand with the employee representatives, the staff, and all those who are committed to an open society," Depner concluded.
(DARMSTADT – GREENS)
