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Demo of corona deniers and so-called lateral thinkers in Munich
Photo: Aaron Karasek / aal.photo / imago images / aal.photo
Against the background of partly violent corona protests, the German Association of Cities calls for a consistent crackdown on the judiciary.
"Public prosecutors and courts have a duty to punish crimes as quickly as possible," said association president Markus Lewe to the newspapers of the Funke media group.
Extreme attitudes and actions must be fought at all levels, said the mayor of Münster.
“The protection of the constitution and police authorities also need more staff.
When the going gets tough, that is, when there is a specific threat, local politicians must also receive police protection in an unbureaucratic manner, "said the CDU politician.
Lewe said the tone of the public debate was getting sharper with each month of the corona pandemic.
Disagreements often lead to hostility.
»Corona protests are becoming more violent, a social consensus is wavering.
That is one of the greatest challenges for 2022. "
In particular, he complained that politically motivated crimes against officials and elected officials had reached “unbearable proportions”.
»More than every second local politician has been insulted, threatened with hatred or assaulted.
The people from the public order office also feel this, as do paramedics and fire brigades and volunteers, both online and on the street. «The public prosecutor's offices specializing in hate crime must also be well equipped and strengthened and the security authorities sensitized.
Lewe said the rift through society must not widen.
"Tolerance, democracy and human dignity are the DNA of our community." Respectful togetherness must be encouraged early on, even in daycare and school.
bbr / dpa
