A clear message to the oligarch Alisher Usmanov: stop Putin!

- Protest rally in the Rottach Kurgarten

Created: 03/02/2022Updated: 03/02/2022 8:18 p.m

By: Christina Jachert-Maier

Around 200 people gathered in the Kurgarten for a protest rally.

Thomas Tomaschek (in the pavilion) addressed the microphone to the oligarch Alisher Usmanov.

© Thomas Plettenberg 

Where oligarch Alisher Usmanow likes to stroll, around 200 people gathered on Wednesday evening in the Rottach Kurgarten for a protest demo.

Her message to the Russians: May he stop Putin.

Now.

Rottach-Egern –

Thomas Tomaschek came up with the idea during a sleepless night.

"I've been thinking about who can talk to Putin," says the Rottach municipal council and leader of the Greens.

The answer was literally close at hand.

The Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanow, who owns several villas in Rottach-Egern - we're talking about four - is considered a close confidant of Putin.

"We have a real caliber there," says Tomaschek, who quickly organized a demo.

Their goal: a message to Usmanow.

He may use his influence with Putin to stop the war.

National media echo

The Rottacher was overwhelmed by the response in advance.

TV stations, news magazines and newspapers reported.

The idea of ​​approaching a Putin friend, one of the richest men in the world, right there, where he is enjoying the good life far from home, was sparked.

The television crews were there half an hour before the demo began in the Kurgarten to capture the atmosphere.

The number of demonstrators was then somewhat smaller than might have been expected.

About 200 people gathered around the pavilion in the Kurgarten, many stretched posters in the air.

"Expropriate oligarchs," they said, "stop Putin," often just "peace."

Tomaschek was the first speaker to take the stage – and first made it clear that the rally was by no means a party event.

The political "small-small" should remain aside.

"It's about sending out a message today, a strong sign of peace," Tomaschek made clear.

Usmanov, wherever he is, will hear about it through the media.

The billionaire is not staying at Tegernsee.

"He left the day before yesterday," Tomaschek called out to the crowd.

"It must have gotten too uncomfortable for him here."

Many of the demonstrators called for peace with posters – including children.

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

“We have to stand up to these people”

Tomaschek believes that the place must now show a clear edge.

Anyone who is on the side of a war criminal cannot go on a relaxing holiday in Rottach-Egern.

"We have to oppose these people," Tomaschek demanded.

The oligarchs made their money in a downtrodden country, only to enjoy their wealth in the freedom of the West and send their children to the finest schools.

It is true that the hotel industry and local craft businesses benefited from the oligarch's money.

"But we have to turn our backs on people like that." There were cheers and applause for that.

That wasn't enough for a demonstrator, he called for even stricter measures with loud heckling.

Former District Administrator Wolfgang Rzehak, who works as a folder, ensured peace.

Ukrainian reports from his homeland

Anton Yermenko comes from Kyiv.

He reported on the situation in his home country.

© Thomas Plettenberg

It was an isolated case.

The police, with a large contingent on site, did not have to intervene and observed what was happening.

"We are only here to demonstrate for peace, nothing else," said Rottach municipal councilor Alexandra Kolmansberger-Walleitner (Blitz), who called for an end to the war with her daughter on posters.

District Administrator Olaf von Löwis (CSU) also took part in the rally.

"Putin's attack on Ukraine shocks me a lot," he said.

In a passionate speech, Anton Yermenko, a former editor in Kyiv and now a translator in Munich, made it clear to the crowd what moves the Ukrainians.

The pictures from his native Kyiv, once one of the most picturesque capitals in the world, made him immeasurably sad.

Just like the reports of his friends there, who had to seek protection - and fought for their freedom.

According to Yermenko, the Third World War is already underway in the eyes of the Ukrainians.

Russia is fighting the rest of the world.

And Ukraine for the rest of the world.

You need everyone's support now.