On Monday, March 28, 2005, around 7:00 p.m., a neo-Nazi arrived at the Kampstraße subway station with his girlfriend. After initial shouting, the two entered the subway station. There he shouted at another group of punks, from which the intoxicated but peaceful Thomas Schulz (Schmuddel 34) stepped forward. After a heated but brief exchange, the neo-Nazi asked the punk if he wanted a punch in the face, whereupon Schmuddel spread his arms and said: "Go ahead!". The 17‑year‑old neo‑Nazi pulled out a knife and stabbed the punk three times. He succumbed to his injuries later that same night.
This appears to be only the beginning of a right‑wing spiral of violence, as in the following days numerous punks were threatened by armed neo‑Nazis.
Media coverage of the murder in the local press is limited to short articles in all newspapers. The cited Westfälische Rundschau is already an exception when it mentions, in a subordinate clause, the right‑wing background of the perpetrator. For several years there has been an understanding between police and media to conceal neo‑Nazi violent acts and marches. If they ever feel compelled to report on neo‑Nazi activities, the right‑wing threat is downplayed.
In memory of Thomas S., out of anger and grief over the neo‑Nazi murder and the local indifference to the danger posed by neo‑Nazis in Dortmund, anti‑fascist groups and the Dortmund Alliance against the Right therefore call for a vigil and demonstration in Dortmund’s city centre this coming Saturday.
The vigil begins at 12:00 p.m. at the scene of the crime on Kampstraße. From there, the anti‑fascist demonstration will start at 1:00 p.m.
No forgiveness – no forgetting
This appears to be only the beginning of a right‑wing spiral of violence, as in the following days numerous punks were threatened by armed neo‑Nazis.
Media coverage of the murder in the local press is limited to short articles in all newspapers. The cited Westfälische Rundschau is already an exception when it mentions, in a subordinate clause, the right‑wing background of the perpetrator. For several years there has been an understanding between police and media to conceal neo‑Nazi violent acts and marches. If they ever feel compelled to report on neo‑Nazi activities, the right‑wing threat is downplayed.
In memory of Thomas S., out of anger and grief over the neo‑Nazi murder and the local indifference to the danger posed by neo‑Nazis in Dortmund, anti‑fascist groups and the Dortmund Alliance against the Right therefore call for a vigil and demonstration in Dortmund’s city centre this coming Saturday.
The vigil begins at 12:00 p.m. at the scene of the crime on Kampstraße. From there, the anti‑fascist demonstration will start at 1:00 p.m.
No forgiveness – no forgetting
