As of: January 24, 2024, 6:59 p.m
By: Andrea Beschorner
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“Freising is colorful”: That was what could be read on several posters.
4,000 people took part in the demonstration on Tuesday.
© TinoGrafiert
Not a step further towards right-wing extremism, inhumanity and hostility to democracy: That was the clear message from 4,000 people on Freising's Marienplatz on Tuesday.
Freising
- “Everyone is allowed to stay here!” That’s what it says in big, colorful letters on the sign of a girl who proudly carries it in front of her.
The child is on the way to Marienplatz with his grandma, his dad and his little sister.
“We want to take a stand against the worrying shift to the right – and I hope that many people will come today,” says the father in an interview with the Freisinger Tagblatt.
His wish has come true.
Like him and his family, a total of 4,000 people took to the streets on Tuesday evening.
They gathered on Freising's Marienplatz to set an example for democracy.
“Never again is now”: This message came from thousands of demonstrators on Marienplatz in Freising.
© Lehmann
A number that gives courage
After hundreds of thousands of people across Germany had already demonstrated against right-wing extremism at the weekend, and the event had to be canceled due to too many participants in Munich and elsewhere, Freising's Green Youth, supported by the local Jusos, called for people to also take a stand in the cathedral city set.
And the people in the district didn't take long to ask: 200 participants were registered for the demo, but several thousand came.
A number that gives courage and hope.
Or, as Freising's mayor Tobias Eschenbacher said before the official start: "The limit of 200 registered people has been exceeded - and that's a good thing."
Democracy, a fragile structure
The reason for the nationwide demonstrations against right-wing extremism was a secret meeting of right-wing extremists - including several AfD politicians - uncovered by the Correctiv research center, at which, among other things, plans were discussed to deport millions of people of foreign origin from Germany.
A reason for many to have serious concerns about democracy.
District Administrator Helmut Petz listed the risks of voting for the AfD in protest.
© TinoGrafiert
District Administrator Helmut Petz, for example.
“Democracy is a fragile thing,” he shouted to the crowd on Tuesday.
Democracy must be lived and defended.
Frenetic applause.
For those who vote for the AfD in protest, Petz had a frightening message: “You are taking an incredible risk for yourself and all people: the risk of losing democracy, of leaving the state to the agitators and the tyrants, “To lose freedom and humanity and ultimately even to put the lives of many at risk.” Everyone must have learned this lesson from history.
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Powerful words from the speakers
The list of speakers was long, their words were forceful, and everyone encouraged people to stand together.
Mayor Tobias Eschenbacher made a passionate plea for freedom and democracy, “in which we can say what we think, believe what we want, in which we are equal before the law - regardless of gender, language and origin, a disability or our political views.”
Mayor Tobias Eschenbacher made a passionate plea for freedom and democracy.
© Lehmann
It was time to send a clear signal “against those who reject and want to destroy our free-democratic basic order with all its values.” There was repeated applause.
Heckles like “Aiwanger out!” could be heard again and again.
The whole evening was absolutely peaceful; the few police officers assigned by the PI Freising were completely sufficient despite the large number of participants.
Farmers also came to Marienplatz in Freising.
They had positioned themselves with three tractors to the left and right of the stage.
When asked by the FT, Jürgen Danzer from the “Agriculture Connects Bavaria” association emphasized that he and his colleagues were there to straighten the picture: “We farmers will not allow ourselves to be placed in the right-wing corner, we are politically neutral.”
“A good day for democracy”
And even if, according to organizer Andreas Hauner, “it is shameful that we have to gather here today because of rising right-wing extremism in our country, it is a good day for democracy: I am proud of everyone who is here today!” All speakers and speakers emphasized how important it is now to “stand up for democracy not just here and now, but everywhere: at work, at the regulars’ table, at family celebrations,” said Antonia Riedmair, who took the stage for the Green Youth.
More than 4,000 people stood shoulder to shoulder for the common cause in Freising on Tuesday.
© Lehmann
It is a process, “today is the first step”
Freising's 3rd mayor Birgit Mooser-Niefanger spoke of a brown maelstrom that threatens democracy and "our freedom." But what can the individual do against this madness?
She asked herself this question often.
“This here and today is the first step in a process.
The important thing is: We must not let up,” she said.
14 million people would be affected by deportation plans
Green MP Leon Eckert named a number that affected many: The deportation plans that became known at the secret meeting “would affect 14 million people in Germany.
There is a lot of work ahead of us, we have to defend democracy.
This is an achievement that we all have to achieve together.”
As a representative of the farmers, farmer Bernhard Nußstein wanted to take a stand against right-wing extremism.
© Armin Forster
SPD MP Andreas Mehltretter called out to the people: “It must be clear to all of us what the AfD is planning: They want to deport our friends.” And as soon as the slightest opportunity arises, “they will implement these plans in exactly the same way.”
Applause continued again and again, and there were always goosebumps in the emotional words of the speakers.
However, seeing how the members of all democratic parties, those who often challenge each other in bitter political debates on the committees, stood shoulder to shoulder for the common cause that day, gave hope.
And so 2024 must be a groundbreaking year against right-wing extremism, said the final speaker, Green MdL Johannes Becher.
Looking at a poster that read “Refuse the Beginnings,” he became thoughtful: “Are we sure we’re just at the beginning?”
And then hundreds turned on their cell phone flashlights and 4,000 people started a chant: “Defend yourself.
Offers resistance.
Against fascism here in the country.
To the barricades.
To the barricades.” Freising made democracy shine.
The first step is taken.