Spremberg Mayor Christine Herntier didn’t always have an easy time of it when she publicized the problem of right-wing extremism in the city of Lausitz in an inflammatory letter in the summer. About four months later, he and two local initiatives received national awards for civic courage against anti-Semitism, right-wing radicalism and racism.
Honor to Herntier and initiative at charity dinner in Berlin
The award, worth 2,000 euros, will be presented by the Friends of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe on Monday at a charity dinner at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin, also attended by Federal Minister of Social Affairs Bärbel Bas (SPD) is expected. The honorable citizens’ initiatives “Unteilbar Spremberg” and “AG Trace Search” were represented by Protestant ministers Elisabeth Schulze and Jette Förster.
Mayor: “It is right not to remain silent”
The independent mayor of Spremberg sees this award as an important boost for commitment to right-wing extremist structures. “This is a big confirmation that there is no harm in keeping quiet, not hiding, and not just hoping that no one notices,” Herntier told the German Press Agency a few days before the awards ceremony.
He attracted national attention that summer with his public letter to nearly 22,000 Spremberg residents. Herntier called for accepting crimes such as anti-constitutional symbols and incitement, to take concerted action against them and to make statements against them. He complained that right-wing extremist ideas were increasingly visible in the city.
Critics denigrated Herntier as a “miscreant” and accused him of tarnishing the city’s reputation. Others described their actions as brave.
Herntier: Must protect children and young people
He gained more friends and supporters than he lost. “I’m definitely right about that,” said Herntier, who refused to be intimidated. The city hall chief stressed that he had support from all over Germany and abroad. The problem of extremist influence is widespread.
It would be a big mistake to believe that such structures will disappear by themselves, Herntier said. It is now important to use broad support from society to provide better protection to children and young people. “They should not be exploited or abused.”
Right-wing extremists try to win the hearts of young people through, among other things, sports activities, outings and bonfires.
Prevention in schools, dialogue with citizens and video cameras
A new conversation format for citizens has been launched in Spremberg, for example under the title “Talking and Listening”. In addition, according to Herntier, a new social space analysis is being created for the first time since 2013 to identify problem areas. The city focuses on improving educational work in schools. The Interior Ministry also wants to enable more video surveillance. Herntier had called for this in the summer and exchanged ideas with Interior Minister René Wilke (SPD) during his visit to the site.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251123-930-328397/1
