extremism
Anniversary of the Hanau attack under special circumstances
On the fourth anniversary of the attack, there will be countless events in Hanau on and around February 19th. photo
© Boris Roessler/dpa
There are currently numerous demonstrations against right-wing extremism across the country. A rally that stands out from the rest is planned for this Saturday.
In Hanau on February 19, 2020, a 43-year-old German shot nine people for racist motives. He then killed his mother and himself.
Demonstration and memorial hour planned
On the fourth anniversary of the attack, an official memorial hour is planned in the main cemetery on February 19th and a demonstration called for by the initiative two days earlier. The demonstration on Saturday (2 p.m.) is intended to remember the victims and send a “strong signal against racism, anti-Semitism and right-wing extremism,” according to the call. Duman reported that many visitors from all over Germany had already announced themselves for the rally. The demonstration was registered for 3,000 people.
The spokeswoman emphasized that the relatives of the victims had achieved a lot in society with their fight for information and to remember the dead. “The names of the victims are said everywhere, including in politics.” This was not the case in other attacks.
Duman: Nobody took political responsibility
At the same time, Duman reiterated the initiative’s criticism that no one took political responsibility after the attacks and there were no consequences. Among other things, the investigative committee in the Hessian state parliament failed to name those responsible for the inadequate police emergency call on the night of the crime and the locked emergency exit in the Arena bar in the Kesselstadt district, one of the crime scenes.
According to Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky (SPD), February 19th is not just a Hanau or Hessian event. “Every year, the day should make us across Germany ask ourselves: How far have we come in the fight against the right? We are currently moving in the wrong direction, judging by the reports of a secret meeting of radical right-wingers in Potsdam thinks.”
In this context, Kaminsky comes to a disappointing interim conclusion. “In the fight against the right, we are in a worse position than we were on February 19, 2020. The good news is: we see in the nationwide demonstrations that many people are standing up against it.”
Federal Interior Minister Faeser is expected
At the official event organized by the state and city this Monday at the cemetery (11 a.m.), there will only be a silent remembrance this year. According to the city, political speeches will be avoided “at the express request of the victims’ relatives.” In addition to Kaminsky, Hesse’s Deputy Prime Minister Kaweh Mansoori and Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (both SPD) will take part and lay wreaths. Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) regrets that he cannot take part in the memorial event this year due to scheduling reasons, the State Chancellery said.
According to the February 19 initiative, many relatives would have liked an event on the central market square like last year. “On a day of remembrance, on a day when people have been murdered for racist reasons, it must be natural for relatives to come forward and express their pain, their anger and their demands,” said Duman. “And if there is criticism, then democracy has to endure it.” Last year, there was a lack of understanding among some of the listeners on the marketplace about some of the wording in speeches.
Mayor: Day will remain in the city’s memory
Mayor Kaminsky emphasizes that this year’s silent commemoration does not mean that the city is withdrawing from the memory of the victims of the attack. There will be countless events in Hanau again this year on and around February 19th. “This shows very impressively that this most terrible day in peacetime in Hanau’s history will forever remain in the city’s memory,” he said. Hanau will commemorate the attack every year. However, the type of commemoration will continue to evolve.
On the fourth anniversary, the question of the location of the planned memorial in memory of the nine murdered remains unanswered. “A large majority of the city council is against a memorial on the market square. This square, above all others, is dedicated to the Brothers Grimm,” explains the mayor. This attitude is met with incomprehension by the relatives. “There is enough space on the market square,” criticizes Duman. “Why can’t February 19th be visible on the market square?”
Kaminsky is campaigning for a location at the planned Center for Democracy and Diversity. This place – a few minutes’ walk from the market square – is located between the two crime scenes at Heumarkt and Kurt-Schumacher-Platz. “It will be a special place that will have an impact beyond Hanau. And perhaps we can also call the square in front of it “Platz des 19. February” to underline its importance.” When the center is built, the square will also be designed completely differently. “I am convinced that at the end of the discussions we will agree on a location,” he said.