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Protests against neo-Nazi connections in the Klötzer martial arts club!
In Klötze, Saxony-Anhalt, allegations against a martial arts club due to relations with the neo-Nazi scene are being examined.
Protests against neo-Nazi connections in the Klötzer martial arts club!
Things are simmering in tranquil Klötze, a small town in Saxony-Anhalt with around 10,000 inhabitants. A left-wing protest against right-wing violence took place at the Waldbad, in which around 30 demonstrating citizens took part, reports MDR. But the focus of these protests is not only on combating right-wing ideas, but also on the Klötze martial arts club, which is repeatedly confronted with accusations.
According to these allegations, the club is said to have connections to the neo-Nazi scene. A member of the club's leadership who gave the Hitler salute must now answer to the Stendal public prosecutor's office. Such incidents raise questions about how the club's chairman, Thomas Korell, and other club representatives are handling the situation. While contact with the right-wing scene is repeatedly discussed, the club strives to show a “cosmopolitan and tolerant demeanor” and has even introduced a new dress code that only allows neutral sports clothing, such as Day24 reported.
The background to the allegations
The martial arts club was founded in 2018 by AfD politicians and now has 240 members. Both founders, the European kickboxing champion Fabian Lüdecke and Thomas Korell, a former member of the national powerlifting team, are not unknown in the political landscape. Last but not least, the AfD was able to win a whopping 34% of the vote in the last federal election in Klötze. This could be another indication of the entrenchment of right-wing extremist tendencies in the region.
An important point in this discussion is the role of martial arts and right-wing extremism. As the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Baden-Württemberg explains, right-wing extremist groups often use martial arts as a platform for their ideology and the communication of images of masculinity. Martial arts events also offer an opportunity to network with like-minded people and recruit new members for extremist groups. This is no different in Klötze, with left-wing activists fearing socialization in clubs that can lead to right-wing attitudes.
Consequences and challenges
The current situation is also causing concerned voices from the population. Many citizens do not dare to comment on the incidents out of fear. Bastian Gebel from the Left Party points out that there would certainly have been more participants in the protest if they had not been deterred by the threat of repression and violence. Mayor Alexander Kleine tries to portray Klötze as a peaceful community, but the question remains as to how long the current situation will be sustainable.
The review of the club's financial support by the Saxony-Anhalt State Sports Association shows how serious the situation is assessed. Since 2020, the association has received around 6,000 euros in funding. The Federal Kickboxing Association has also contacted the German Olympic Sports Confederation to draw attention to the situation. One thing is clear: a lot of educational work is still needed to drive away the shadow of extremism in martial arts clubs.