As of: February 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m
By: Tanja Brinkmann
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Standing up for diversity and democracy: (from left) Florian Wink, Monika Ott and Thomas Angele from the organization team.
© Josef Hornsteiner
You want to make a statement.
Against the right wing.
Against anti-Semitism.
But above all for democracy and diversity.
On Sunday there will also be a demonstration in Garmisch-Partenkirchen under the motto “Never again is now!”
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
– Millions of people across Germany have already taken to the streets to forcefully represent these concerns.
After more and more callers contacted Florian Wink from the Partnership for Democracy Coordination Office in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district, “I wanted to network people”.
The need to form and defend democratic values is great.
At the first meeting, 60 interested people showed up and decided to organize a demo under the motto “Never again is now!”
On Sunday, March 3rd, it starts at 2 p.m. at Rathausplatz - first with greetings and then via Bahnhofstrasse, St.-Martinstrasse and Klammstrasse through the pedestrian zone to Richard-Strauss-Platz.
Some speakers have their say there and the Garmisch-Partenkirchen band “Behold!
A Man!” provides the appropriate music.
Wink is part of the organizing team.
“As a private person,” he emphasizes.
Alongside him are Monika Ott, Thomas Angele, Max Goschenhofer, Ralph Cremer, Saphira Beige and Nadja Wunderlich.
Planning for the event is in full swing.
They have registered 1,000 people with the district office, “but we are preparing for more,” says Wink.
The silent majority rises up for democracy
For Ott, who sits on the Farchant local council for the SPD, there was no question of getting involved in this.
She also emphasizes that she does this as a private person.
“But we have to stand up now to protect democracy – in parliaments and outside.” People are now taking to the streets all over Germany to do this.
The so-called silent majority is showing up and not staying at home.
And thereby refutes the claims of extremists and populists that they represent “the people”.
The fact that right-wing extremist views are being spread publicly and human rights are being questioned is completely unacceptable for the large democratic majority.
The reasons for protesting against this are varied.
The AfD’s electoral success “is an issue,” says Angele.
But this also includes the reactions to the Hamas massacre in October 2023.
In Germany, many people took this as a trigger for ongoing anti-Semitic propaganda and violence.
“It's shocking that people are now showing this so openly.” The Potsdam meeting, at which members of right-wing extremist groups and politicians discussed plans to deport millions of people, caused additional outrage and horror.
All very good reasons to keep the flag of democratic values flying high.
Church representatives also join the cause
The organizers are supported by associations and parties that join their cause. “The church is also involved,” says Wink.
Ott believes that the motto “Together for democracy and diversity” appeals to everyone who supports a liberal form of society.
She is also concerned about the state elections this year in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg.
However, political speeches are not planned on the stage at Richard-Strauss-Platz, which the market will pay for just like the technology.
Anyone who speaks “speaks for diversity, tolerance and democracy,” explains Angele the project.
To get everything off the ground, the organizers are also hoping for donations.
“Whatever is left,” says Wink, “will benefit the promotion of democracy in the district.”