Festival in Jamel about to end? Authorities are putting pressure on Lohmeyers!

Festival in Jamel about to end? Authorities are putting pressure on Lohmeyers!

In the village of Jamel, which has been known as a stronghold for neo-Nazis since 1992, the renowned “Jamel rocks the forester” festival is in danger of going off track. Although this anti-Nazi festival is scheduled to take place on August 22nd and 23rd, 2025, the organizers are facing significant challenges due to official requirements and financial disputes. Like the page Indymedia According to reports, over 90 percent of the villagers are neo-Nazis and first hit the headlines in 1992 when 120 supporters celebrated Hitler's birthday. A ruling by the Schwerin Administrative Court from 2022 even describes Jamel as a “village community” that strives for a “nationally liberated zone”.

The Lohmeyers, who moved to Jamel in 2004 and are actively involved in combating neo-fascist activities, have repeatedly experienced attacks in the past. Her barn burned down and suspected neo-Nazis broke into her property on New Year's Eve 2024/25. Despite these threats, the Lohmeyers have been taking a stand against right-wing extremism since 2007 and have successfully organized the festival, which attracted around 3,500 visitors in 2024. But now the numerous difficulties could jeopardize the holding of the festival in 2025.

Legal disputes and requirements

The difficulties for the organizers begin with a high fee of almost 8,000 euros, which the Gägelow municipal council decided in January 2025. Previously, the use of community space for the festival was free. The Lohmeyers had already submitted an urgent application to the Schwerin Administrative Court in May 2025 in vain. Recently, on June 26, 2025, another urgent application was rejected, which was directed against the district's announced requirements, including a ban on alcohol and the prohibition of the use of two parking areas. In its ruling, the court found that no need for legal protection had been proven, which made the situation even more difficult for the organizers LTO reported.

The uncertainties and tough requirements make the organizers fear for the festival. Local politics also played a role. Recently, the CDU and the AfD received over 60 percent of the votes in the 2024 local elections - a sign that the political framework for the festival is extremely tense. The district of Northwest Mecklenburg is also planning to take strict measures to hinder the event.

A problem for society as a whole

The background to these disputes cannot only be seen locally. Quite the opposite: It turns out that right-wing extremist structures also pose a threat beyond the borders of Jamel. According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, a total of 50,250 people will be considered right-wing extremist potential in 2024 - an increase of almost 10,000 compared to the previous year. The number of right-wing extremist acts of violence also rose by 11.6 percent to 1,281 cases. This increase represents a serious challenge to social stability, which is also becoming clearly relevant in Jamel.

Given this problem, it is even more difficult to take a stand against the everyday terror of neo-Nazis. The “Jamel rocks the forester” festival could encourage other cultural events in the region to take similar steps - but given the current conditions, holding the festival in summer 2025 remains questionable. It remains to be hoped that an agreement can be found between the organizers and the authorities so that the important symbol of tolerance and against right-wing radicalism is not extinguished.