Brand attack and solidarity: Meißen fights against xenophobia!

Brand attack and solidarity: Meißen fights against xenophobia!

On Tuesday morning, around 40 allies gathered on Hirschbergstrasse in Meißen to show their solidarity with the “Colorful Meißen” association. The occasion was a devastating arson attack in the former nursery Walther, where green cutting residues had risen in flames in the night from Sunday to Monday. At the same time, sometimes xenophobic smearings were discovered. The fire brigade was able to delete the fire quickly, luckily there were no injuries. Maria Fagerlund, one of the club's board members, had organized the solidarity campaign at short notice in order to set an example against racism and intolerance. In this nursery, migrants from different countries work that grow vegetables and pull young plants. People with disabilities from meeting places are also active in this area, which makes the community particularly valuable there.

"The Basic Law applies to everyone," said Fagerlund, while a banner with Article 1 of the Basic Law was attached to the fence next to the fire site. The “Colorful Meißen” association has been exposed to increasing hostility for years, mainly through the AfD, whose influence in the region is increasing. Fagerlund described it as irresponsible to commit an arson attack near a large fire and warned of the dangerous developments in society.

background of the attacks

The police have already investigated a 43-year-old suspect who is said to be responsible for the xenophobic smears. Whether this has also laid the fire is still available for the examination. It is terrifying how often such attacks have increased in recent years, which indicates worrying social development. The tolerance towards foreign cultures seems to be disappearing, which can be observed not only in Meißen, but also nationwide.

An example of the current risk of human rights in Europe also show the serious problems in refugee policy. In Greece, Iranean Homayoun Sabara is on trial because he is accused of towing. The 60-year-old has been in prison for three years after trying to reach his daughters in Germany. The allegations against him show how Stumbling Blocks arise for themselves and others when migrants and their helpers are criminalized. These developments also run through many EU countries, such as the cases shown by the "taz" show in Italy and Spain, where people come to prison because of "aid for unauthorized entry", often without knowing what is accused of exactly.

fight against the criminalization of flight

A tragic facet of this problem is the financial and emotional burden on families, which are often dependent on the support of NGOs in order to obtain legal support. The NGO Medico International has launched a new “Fund for Freedom of Music” to help families. At the same time, 15 organizations, including Amnesty International, are calling for a revision of the EU Directive for the Aid of Illegal Entry to counteract the increasing criminalization of people who seekers seeking protection. The AWO Federal Association and many others are committed to ensuring that essential human rights principles are not endangered.

The appeal is aimed at the federal government to create clear definitions, extendly exclude humanitarian aid and finally end the criminalization of those seeking protection. It takes a change so that the principle of humanity and solidarity does not fall victim to the current politically motivated attacks on the weakest.

In this tense situation, it is more important than ever to stand up for values ​​such as respect and tolerance and to give a voice to those who rely on help. In Meißen, the solidarity campaign of the association "Colorful Meißen" shows that there are many that rise against racism and discrimination.