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"Querdenker" in Dortmund (in August 2020): "I am happy to live in a country where one can also publicly claim nonsense"
Photo: Fabian Strauch / dpa
SPIEGEL:
Mr. Schulz, Hagen is a Corona hotspot, no city in North Rhine-Westphalia currently has a higher incidence value - so it is quite questionable if two employees of the public order office appear on a "lateral thinking" demo, isn't it?
Schulz:
That raises questions, of course, but as Lord Mayor I have to keep several things in mind.
This includes that I have a duty of care for my employees, and of course the freedom of demonstration and expression also applies to public service employees.
SPIEGEL:
Nevertheless, you released them both from their duties in the city administration.
Schulz:
Yes, because in this case it is also about the question of public impact.
It is an employee of the security service, who is in direct contact with the people on the street, and an employee of the fines office.
Both have to impose sanctions against people who do not adhere to the Corona rules.
That does not fit in with "lateral thinkers" on the street.
It's about credibility, ultimately also about trust in the state and our democracy.
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