50 years after the massacre: Memories of Erfurt's Algerian migrants

50 years after the massacre: Memories of Erfurt's Algerian migrants

In the summer of 1975, frightening events took place in Erfurt that are still remembered today. From August 10th to 13th there were violent racist riots against Algerian migrant workers who were housed there. 50 years ago, the city center became the backdrop for a brutal hunt in which around 300 young Germans pursued 25 Algerian contract workers. Some of the Algerians were seriously injured and had to be taken to hospital. The riots were sparked by unfounded rumors of rape and other crimes that spread quickly and mobilized a mob migazin.de.

The brutal attacks began after a public festival and quickly attracted the attention of the People's Police. This sent dogs at the fleeing Algerians, which led to further injuries. The rioters were not immediately stopped by the authorities and the situation escalated rapidly. Historian Annegret Schüle made it clear that racism and right-wing extremist tendencies also existed in the GDR, despite officially propagated anti-fascism. The event represented the first massive racially motivated riots in Germany after the Second World War, which illustrates the dimension of violence, as well as the taz documented.

The consequences and the processing

Following the events, the GDR authorities opened around two dozen cases against suspected perpetrators. Five of the main actors were prosecuted and punished as “ringleaders and hooligans”. However, this did not happen without dissonance: the media reported on a disruption of public order, but not on the racist attacks themselves. Instead, the riots were integrated into the discourse about “Western infiltration” in order to defend the basic anti-fascist tenor of the GDR. ND-current highlights that there was no public memorial for the victims for decades.

The disdainful approach to racism in the GDR and the reliance on anti-fascist ideals have become more and more part of public discussion since the 2010s. Commemorative events are currently planned for the 50th anniversary of the riots in Erfurt, which will take place on August 10th and 11th, 2025. Many of the former Algerian contract workers are also expected to attend, who will look back fondly while at the same time experiencing the changes in the culture of remembrance.

A look into the past and the present

The migration agreement, which attracted Algerian men to the GDR from 1974 onwards, was intended to cover the acute labor shortage. At that time, many of these young workers were around 20 years old and had already been through the Algerian War of Independence. Over 8,000 Algerian migrants lived in the GDR between 1974 and 1984, often isolated in dormitories without experiencing any significant integration into society. The sense of togetherness among Algerians, expressed in solidarity and mutual support, also remains an important chapter in their memories.

As the developments surrounding the commemorative events show, coming to terms with the past remains necessary in order to counteract racism and discrimination in today's society. The contemporary witness reports collected during the events are invaluable because they offer direct access to experiences that are often forgotten or repressed. An example of this is the case of Mohamed Kecheroud, who lost contact with his children after being forced to leave the GDR in 1979 and has been searching for them in vain ever since.