50 years after Erfurt's hunts: memories of racism and violence

50 years after Erfurt's hunts: memories of racism and violence

In August 1975, one of the first massive racially motivated riots in Germany after the Second World War took place in Erfurt, which still resonates in the memories of many survivors today. Between August 10 and 13, aggressive rumors escalated about Algerian contract workers allegedly harassing German women, particularly during a folk festival in Cathedral Square, where up to 25 Algerians were also present. These rumors led to up to 300 young people hunting down the Algerians, who fled through the city in terrible conditions, some being chased with sticks and poles. Overall, several Algerians were seriously injured in these attacks and the situation became increasingly explosive.

The background to these riots lay not only in the rumors, but also in the social reality of the Algerian workers, who often lived in central dormitories on the outskirts of the city and often worked under harsh conditions. In the summer of 1975, around 150 young men from Algeria came to Germany to work in the coal and building materials industries. An agreement between the GDR and Algeria in 1974 made this labor import possible. But the integration of Algerians into society was not planned for the GDR, and many locals had prejudices against the foreign workers. Historian Jan Daniel Schubert points out that the SED leadership did not communicate the arrival of the Algerians, which further reinforced prejudice. These political and social discrepancies formed the breeding ground for racist attacks.

The riots and their consequences

The day after the attacks, on August 11, the situation became so threatening for the Algerians that they went on strike. Erfurt was in a state of emergency. The people's police were overwhelmed by the situation; she even used dogs against the attacked migrant workers. Despite the massive violence perpetrated against the Algerians, the GDR authorities downplayed the incidents. Only five ringleaders of the riots were arrested and convicted, although without addressing the racist motives. This happened against the background that the SED viewed racism as a problem of “capitalist foreign countries”, while racist thought patterns were widespread in society.

The events in Erfurt are just part of a larger picture of racism in the GDR, where over 700 racist attacks have been documented in history. Despite numerous incidents, there was no serious examination of the issues of racism and labor migration for decades. This was the first such hunt against foreigners in Germany after the war, a dark chapter that has only been gradually addressed in recent years.

A remembrance and a look into the future

On August 11, 2025, exactly 50 years after the riots, there will be memorial events in Erfurt. Survivors and their supporters will reminisce and shed light on the events that continue to impact those affected today. In recent years there has been an increased focus on these events through local initiatives and events. Historian Schubert is also planning talks with Algerian contemporary witnesses to shed light on their perspectives.

The city's culture of remembrance makes it clear that the commemoration of these events should not only be a look back, but also an appeal for more tolerance and against racism in today's society. The voices of survivors and the stories of former Algerian workers, such as that of Mohamed Kecheroud, who lost contact with his children, are not only important for historical reckoning, but also for a common understanding of social justice today.

The events of 1975 must be remembered to raise awareness of racism and discrimination in society and to provide lessons for future generations. This is necessary so that history does not repeat itself. For many, what happened back then is not just a memory, but a warning.