Hanau: Thousands of people demonstrate against racism

After the racist attack with 9 victims, thousands of people protested in Hanau against racism and right-wing terror.

After the right-wing extremist attack in Hanau which claimed the life of 9 immigrants, thousands of people across Germany protected against racism and right-wing terror on Saturday. According to the organizers, more than 6,000 people gathered in Hanau alone.

The demonstration, promoted by the alliance "solidarity instead of division", began with a rally at the Freedom Square in the city center. Numerous speakers and relatives of the victims expressed their anger over Wednesday's inhuman murders. Many described the attack as a "barbaric act" directed against the entire society.

Activist Patrucija Kowalska from Munich said: "We must not pathologize the perpetrator. The murderer's planning and action followed a perfidious logic of right-wing terrorist attacks in other places. The causes of this violence were racism and anti-Semitism.”

During the rally, the names of the victims were repeatedly read out, people listened quietly and devoutly. The pictures of the murdered people were shown on stage.

Afterwards, a demonstration march through the city started. Participants carried posters with inscriptions such as "Must people be killed for you to be outraged?" and "Human rights instead of right-wing people". Throughout the day, Hanau citizens also laid flowers, lit candles or commemorated the dead at the Brüder Grimm memorial at the market square. Flowers, candles and wreaths were also laid down at the two crime scenes.

A racist man had shot dead nine immigrants on Wednesday evening in Hanau for racist motives. Six other people were injured, one of them seriously. The dead are between 21 and 44 years old. They were all born and raised in Hanau. The murderer then killed his mother and himself.

Central funeral service planned

The city of Hanau is planning a central memorial service for the victims of the attack. This will be prepared in coordination with relatives as well as state authorities, the municipality announced. Hanau's Mayor Claus Kaminsky of SPD called a special session of the Round Table of Religions for Monday. 36 churches and religious communities in Hanau belong to the committee. Kaminsky emphasized that this meeting would clarify how the various needs around mourning could be taken care of.