1. 14 February 2009, Dresden
The GEH DENKEN alliance...
... against the largest gathering of the
European right-wing extremist movement
2. 1. The victim myth of Dresden
2. The neonazi marches
3. The GEH DENKEN alliance
3. Dresden – Platform for the largest yearly
neonazi demonstration
On 14 February 2009, 7.500 neo-nazis from all over
Germany and Europe participated in the largest neo-
nazi demonstration in the post-war history.
8000 7500
7000 HALBE: Remembrance of honour
6000 5700 6000
6000
5000 WUNSIEDEL: Rudolf Hess march
5000
BUDAPEST: Day of Honour
4000
3000 2700
DRESDEN: Mourning march
2000
JENA: Festival of the People
1000
0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
4. “Bombing Holocaust“ - The victim myth
13/14 February 1945:
Dresden was bombed by the Allies, 25.000 people were killed,
the city centre completely destroyed.
Nazi propaganda:
begin of the “myth of Dresden”: Dresden as an innocent victim
of “anglo-american air gangsters“
GDR ideology:
anti-imperialistic GDR follows
the myth idea: Dresden
perceived as “senselessly
destroyed“ city
1990s:
Neonazis adopted the myth
to relativise the nazi crimes:
“German Hiroshima“,
“bombing holocaust“
“Bombing Holocaust never again!” NPD Saxony
5. Silent commemoration?!
The city`s official remembrance concept lacks a clear
stand against right-wing extremism and allows RWEs
to take over places and topics of remembrance.
A group of Neonazis at the
“silent remembrance“ on the
Heide cemetery, February 2008
Wreath of the extreme right NPD covers wreath of the Central
Consistory of Jews in Germany, February 2009
6. Neonazi march, 14 February 2009
The largest post-war neonazi demonstration
7. Neonazi march, 14 February 2009
Revisionism
„250.000 Germans died in the hell of
Dresden. Where is their memorial?“
NPD Wunsiedel
„Yesterday Dresden – today Gaza.
Bring the murderers to justice!“
NPD Dresden
9. Neonazi march, 14 February 2009
International participation
Many international delegations participated in last years
marches, including members of the “European National Front“.
Great Britain: British National Party
Belgium: Groen Rechts
Italy: Veneto Fronte Skinheads
Czechia: Národní odpor
Slovakia: Slovenská pospolitost
Spain: Alianca Nacional
Bulgaria: Gvardia
Greece: Golden Dawn
Portugal: Frente Nacional
Hungary: Vérés Becsület Kulturális Egyesület
10. GEH DENKEN
Call for action
GEH DENKEN – Go and think!
A clear STOP to right-wing
extremism
14 February 2009
Dresden
Let’s stop the biggest nazi march of Europe –
peacefully and determined!
All over Germany and Europe, we appeal to stop the right-
wing extremists peacefully and determined in Dresden. We
call for demonstrations and rallies on 14th February 2009.
More info:
www.geh-denken.de
orga@geh-denken.de
11. GEH DENKEN
Alliance & preparatory group
Civil society organisations: Democratic parties:
Amadeu Antonio Foundation, Social Democratic Party of
Action Reconciliation Service for Germany Dresden, The Left
Peace, Campaign Loud against Dresden, Green Party Dresden
Nazis, Kulturbüro Sachsen,
RAA Sachsen
Church / Jewish
Trade union: community:
German Federation Superintendent
of Trade Unions Dresden-centre,
Dresden Jewish Community
Dresden
Supporters:
- more than 200 prominent initial signatories of the call for action
- all in all 1.000 signers during the campaign
- international support: UNITED, YHRM
18. GEH DENKEN
Evaluation
+ impressive signal against
right-wing extremism
+ 10.000 counter-
demonstrators
+ neonazis had to change
their marching route
+ wide support of the call
for action
+ successful coverage in
local, national and
international media
19. GEH DENKEN
Evaluation
- biggest nazi march since 1945
(7.500 participants)
- city mayor, CDU, Lutheran
Church of Saxony refused to
take part in GEH DENKEN
- peaceful protest along the nazi
route was suppressed
- de-escalation strategy of police
failed: no adequate protection of /
rigid action against GEH DENKEN
demonstrators
- at least five serious neonazi attacks
20. See you at GEH DENKEN 2010!
www.geh-denken.de
www.kulturbuero-sachsen.de
