More than 600 Freisingers expressed their horror at the Russian attack on Ukraine and their solidarity with the people there at a vigil on Marienplatz on Sunday evening. With rare unanimity, speakers from all democratic parties sharply condemned the actions of the Russian President and called for support for the refugees from the Ukraine who were soon to be expected in Bavaria.
The Ukrainian flag hung over the citizens’ office, next to it the flag of Europe, some of the people on Marienplatz wore masks and caps in the country’s colors, children had yellow and blue balloons with them and the city band played the Ukrainian anthem at the beginning of the vigil. Posters that were obviously produced quickly called for solidarity and peace; the war that broke out so suddenly in the middle of Europe also stirred up people in Freising.
Posters were hastily made.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt)
Johannes Becher, organizer of the vigil, said that Putin broke international law with his attack on the neighboring country. “It’s unimaginable, but it’s reality.” You can’t “shrug your shoulders and watch it,” said Becher. All over the world, “people like us are demonstrating against this madness,” but it’s not enough just to show solidarity, you also have to act.
That’s why it was right that the Bundestag decided to deliver weapons to Ukraine: “And I didn’t think I’d ever say it like that,” said the Green politician to applause. There have already been good reasons to rely on renewable energies because of climate change, Becher added, and now there is another one: Because the energy supply in Germany must become independent of Russia.
The member of parliament for the Greens, Johannes Becher.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt)
CSU Minister of State Florian Herrmann, who spontaneously allowed himself to be put on the list of speakers for the evening, also found clear words. He spoke of a “war of aggression that cannot be justified by anything” and a “barbaric act”. Putin is anything but the supposedly “flawless democrat,” he is a war criminal. Herrmann emphasized that no one would have wished for the change in security policy currently being implemented by the federal government: “But it’s the right thing to do.”
Head of State Florian Herrmann, CSU, calls Putin a war criminal
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt)
“Terrible, frightening and completely out of date,” Freising’s District Administrator Helmut Petz called the attack on Ukraine – and also called for innovation now, to seize the moment and make Germany independent of Russian gas. The district has already begun to mobilize all forces to be able to accommodate refugees quickly and unbureaucratically. A good 150 accommodations are available, there are already numerous offers of help from the population and the BRK can immediately set up around 600 camp beds. Anyone who wants to make further offers of help can send them to the e-mail address: [email protected].
The Freising district administrator Helmut Petz was also stunned.
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt)
Unity in Europe gives hope
Freising’s mayor, Tobias Eschenbacher, not only expressed his dismay at the war in Europe and Putin’s threat of nuclear weapons, he also emphasized that nothing could put such an attack into perspective – “regardless of the argument.” It wasn’t a Russian war either, he clarified: “This is Putin’s war.” Like many other speakers, Eschenbacher not only expressed his respect for the courageous Ukrainians, but also for those Russians who would now turn against the war and demonstrate in Russia – and go to prison for it.
Freising’s mayor Tobias Eschenbacher made it clear: “It’s Putin’s war.”
(Photo: Marco Einfeldt)
The mayor saw a glimmer of hope in “that Europe is more united than it has been for a long time and in the enormous solidarity and helpfulness that has emerged. Everything must be done to restore peace, said Eschenbacher – and Mahatma Gandhi quoted: “There is no way to peace, peace is the way.”
Freedom has its price, but also its value, which is why it has to be defended, said FDP district councilor Tobias Weiskopf. He called for a complete trade embargo against Russia and a clear commitment to NATO. Left-wing city councilor Nicolas Pano-Graßy spoke of a “barbaric war of aggression” and made it clear that “wherever international law is broken, you have to rebel, and anyone who chooses war must be outlawed.” Finally, the member of parliament Benno Zierer (FW) urgently warned to follow the word of solidarity with deeds in the coming days, namely when the refugees actually arrive in the city.