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Heidenau council bans future Stolpersteine memorial plaques
The Heidenau city council in Saxony has voted to prohibit the future installation of Stolpersteine, brass memorial plaques used to commemorate victims of Nazi persecution, in public streets and sidewalks. The motion was passed by a majority of 13 votes, with six against and one abstention. The proposal was a joint effort by members of the CDU and AfD parties, along with the 'Bündnis Oberelbe für mehr Demokratie'.
Proponents of the ban argued that the plaques are often stepped on or soiled by pedestrians, which they consider undignified. They suggested that memorialization should instead be concentrated at the town's Nordfriedhof cemetery to ensure the elements are not directly stepped upon. This decision went against a recommendation from the city administration, which argued that keeping memorials in public spaces ensures they remain visible and integrated into daily life.
The decision has drawn widespread condemnation from political figures and organizations. German Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) described the move as a 'scandal,' stating that moving memorials to cemeteries makes victims 'invisible' once again. The International Auschwitz Committee and the Stolperstein Foundation also criticized the decision, with the latter calling it an 'absolutely unique occurrence.' While the ban targets future installations, it remains unclear how it affects the existing Stolpersteine already placed in Heidenau.
Entities
AfD · CDU · Christoph Heubner · Gunter Demnig · Heidenau · International Auschwitz Committee · Karin Prien · Paul Gröger · Sachsen
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] Two Stolpersteine already exist in Heidenau, including one for former mayor Paul Gröger. www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.bild.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.rtl.de · dresden.t-online.de · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The decision was reached through a secret vote. www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.bild.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.bigodino.it
- [● 13 SOURCES] Thirteen council members voted for the ban, six voted against, and one abstained. www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.bild.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.nachrichten-heute.net · dresden.t-online.de · +5 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] The motion to ban the stones was introduced by members of the AfD and CDU parties. www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.bild.de · www.morgenpost.de · nius.de · www.rtl.de · +22 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] Proponents argued that memorialization should take place at the city's Nordfriedhof to prevent people from stepping on the memorials. www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.bild.de · www.morgenpost.de · nius.de · www.rtl.de · +16 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The city administration recommended rejecting the motion to keep memorials visible in public spaces. www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.rtl.de · dresden.t-online.de · www.berliner-kurier.de · +6 more
- [● 31 SOURCES] The Heidenau city council voted to reject the future installation of Stolpersteine in public streets and sidewalks. www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.bild.de · www.morgenpost.de · nius.de · www.rtl.de · +22 more