No “propaganda for remigration” – that was the motto of two demonstrations in Marburg. The Austrian right-wing extremist Martin Sellner had come to Central Hesse. Thousands opposed him. An investigation is underway against a speaker.
On Monday, two demonstrations took place in Marburg against Martin Sellner, who is classified as right-wing extremist in Germany, from Austria. Initially, Sellner was said to be in the central Hessian city for a reading from his new book – in the private premises of a fraternity associated with the “Identitarian Movement”.
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Demonstrations in Marburg against right-wing extremist Martin Sellner
Image © hr
As the police reported late in the evening, the reading did not take place in Marburg but in the neighboring Gladenbach (Marburg-Biedenkopf). The location change apparently happened at short notice, and the police claimed to have “gained knowledge” of it.
About 50 people attended the reading in an indoor space at Gladenbach Market Square, according to the police. The Oberhessische Presse described it as a “gloomy room between a kebab shop and a driving school.” Police forces stated they prevented a confrontation between the attendees of the reading and counter-demonstrators.
Thousands of demonstrators in Marburg
In the afternoon, an initial demonstration against Sellner’s reading took place in Marburg. About 1,000 participants attended, according to police reports. The demonstration started at the Marburg marketplace and led to the premises of three fraternities known for their connections to the “Identitarian Movement”.
Numerous demonstrators gathered on Monday evening in front of the Erwin Piscator House in Marburg.
Image © Marc Klug (hr)
At the second demonstration in the evening, organizers reported about 3,000 people attended. The police reported 2,500 participants. The event in front of the Erwin Piscator House, the Marburg City Hall, was also attended by Mayor Thomas Spies (SPD).
“We fight for an open, colorful society”
“We fight for an open, a colorful, a just society, where all people have a place,” he said in his speech that evening. He wanted to defend the fundamental values of the country. “A clear line against right-wing extremism is part of my oath of office. There should be no space for that among us or anywhere else,” Spies told hr.
Mayor of Marburg Thomas Spies (SPD) as a speaker
Image © picture-alliance/dpa
The protest was organized by the city and a new network for democracy and against right-wing extremism, consisting of Marburg associations, organizations, and private individuals. The message: Marburg is cosmopolitan; there is no place for propaganda and hatred here.
Two of the three fraternities whose spaces were the target of the demonstration distanced themselves from Sellner on Monday, stating that no reading would take place at their venues. The Marburg “Alliance Against the Right” and the Left Party called for the demonstration.
Police investigating after “Nazi” statement
In the evening, the police reported an operation near the Marburg Exhibition Square. There were street blockades by about 150 demonstrators, and smoke bombs were ignited among other things. The police issued dispersal orders and removed individuals from the street.
At the afternoon demonstration, one of the speakers referred to police officers as “Nazis in uniform.” This was pointed out by the police union Mittelhessen. This statement exceeds the boundaries of the right to protest, a spokesman said. The officers had worked in Marburg to protect everyone’s freedom of expression. For that reason alone, it is disrespectful to label the forces this way.
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The police union wants to investigate whether the offense of incitement to hatred is fulfilled and reserves the right to file a criminal complaint. The investigations are ongoing. At the same time, the union called on the participating organizations and parties to distance themselves from this statement. Booing could also be heard from the demonstrators in response to the statement.
City of Marburg officially disapproves of appearance
Due to the demonstrations, the police reported significant restrictions in city traffic. The officers were present in large numbers in the city center, involving a medium three-digit number of police officers. A police drone was also deployed to provide an overview of the situation.
In advance, the city of Marburg, with the exception of the AfD, had clearly positioned itself against Sellner and his reading in a resolution: “The university city of Marburg firmly disapproves of Martin Sellner’s attempts to propagate the expulsion of a part of our residents in Marburg.” Sellner’s theses are a “danger to our community as well as to democracy and the constitution in our country”.
Sellner was able to prevent a travel ban to Germany with an urgent application before a reading in Potsdam in April. Several countries have imposed effective entry bans against the Austrian, including the USA and Great Britain.
Sellner’s “Master Plan Remigration”
The activist and author Sellner is regarded as one of the main actors and strategists of the “Identitarian Movement,” which is classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence service. In November, he also presented his “Master Plan for Remigration” in Potsdam.
In his book, he now elaborates his ideas for a “model state” in North Africa, where he wants to “relocate” up to two million people, specifically Afghans.
Sellner had rejected the city’s accusations that his theses are inhuman and a danger to society in an interview with hr.
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