Omas gegen Rechts

Omas gegen Rechts
Formation2017 (2017)
Founder
Founded atVienna, Austria
TypeInitiative
PurposeOpposition of far-right politics
Official language
German
Award(s)

Omas gegen Rechts ([ˈoːmas ˈɡeː.ɡn̩ ʁɛçtʰs]; Grannies against the Right)[1] is a Bürgerinitiative [de] (initiative of citizens) in Germany and Austria. Founded in Vienna in 2017, in protest at extreme right-wing political positions, a German initiative was founded in 2018. Its members are mostly women in retirement or close to legal retirement age,[2] concerned about developments in politics and social life that they regard as detrimental to a future for their grandchildren. Omas gegen Rechts were awarded the Paul Spiegel Prize for civil courage by the Central Council of Jews in Germany in 2020.

History

The initiative Omas gegen Rechts was founded in Vienna in 2017 by journalist Susanne Scholl and Monika Salzer, a retired pastor.[2][3] Salzer said that it was in response to the coalition of the Austrian People's Party and the Freedom Party of Austria during the first Kurz government.[2] She wrote a book explaining why women who experienced life fight for the future of their grandchildren,[2] Warum wir für die Zukunft unserer Enkel kämpfen.

Beginning in spring 2018, the Omas gegen Rechts is also active in Germany, as initiated by Anna Ohnweiler, a former teacher and social worker who grew up in socialist Romania. An association was founded and according to Deutsche Welle as of November 2020, it has 3000 members, a fifth of them male, and the movement is active in more than 70 towns.[4] The Berliner Zeitung noted around 100 regional groups in Germany as of 2020.[2]

Actions

In Germany and Austria, the Omas gegen Rechts appear at various demonstrations and events. Pink or colorful knitted hats, so-called "pussyhats",[5] serve as a distinguishing mark. According to the organisation, the caps are "signs of non-violent resistance and solidarity".[6]

In February 2020, the choir of the local section in Munich of Omas gegen Rechts performed together with Sarah Hakenberg on the ZDF TV programme Die Anstalt.[7] The performance was a response to right-wing outrage at the song "Meine Oma ist 'ne Umweltsau" ("My grand-mother is an old environmental pig").[citation needed]

On 4 July 2020, Omas gegen Rechts supported the demonstration organized by the SPÖ Braunau for the preservation of the Hitler birthplace memorial stone in Braunau am Inn, Austria.[8] Speakers against the "neutralization of history" planned by the Ministry of the Interior were Susanne Scholl, Robert Eiter from the Upper Austrian Network against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism, the writer Ludwig Laher and Member of the National Council Sabine Schatz.[9]

Goals

Omas gegen Rechts in Vienna in 2019, against the imprisonment of Carola Rackete

The initiative is active against antisemitism, racism and misogyny.[10] It points at the danger of fascist tendencies, observed in Austria, Germany and other European countries.[2] The initiative supports equal opportunity and tolerance and supports the Fridays for Future movement.[4] Regional groups participated in counter-protests against protests over COVID-19 policies in Germany.[2]

Awards

In December 2019, Omas gegen Rechts received the Integrationspreis of Freiburg im Breisgau,[11] and in November 2020 the Paul Spiegel Prize for Civic Courage (Paul-Spiegel-Preis für Zivilcourage) of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.[12]

The group was awarded the 2024 Aachen Peace Prize (Aachener Friedenspreis [de]).[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Toynbee, Polly (7 February 2019). "Grannies against the right: older women are rising up – could they bring down Brexit?". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Weil Alter Wissen ist: Wie die Omas gegen Rechts die Republik aufrütteln". Berliner Zeitung. 30 December 2020.
  3. ^ Tomic, Manuela (26 February 2018). "In Rente und Rebellion". Zeit Online. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Des Nazis alte Feindin". Deutsche Welle. 11 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Omas gegen rechts: "So nett der Bundeskanzler aussieht, die Agenda macht uns Angst"". Die Presse. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  6. ^ "PUSSYHAT-STRICKANLEITUNG". Omas gegen Rechts Freiburg im Breisgau. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  7. ^ ""Oma ist 'ne coole Sau": Im ZDF sangen "Omas gegen Rechts" das "Hühnerstall"-Lied". Focus. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Braunau am Inn am 4.7.20 – "Kundgebung #dersteinbleibt"". OMAS GEGEN RECHTS. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  9. ^ Stefanie Ruep (4 July 2020). "Kundgebung für den Verbleib des Mahnsteins vor dem Hitlerhaus". Der Standard (in Austrian German). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Omas gegen Rechts setzen Zeichen für Menschenrechte" [Omas gegen Rechts sends a signal for human rights]. Rheinische Post. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  11. ^ Vögtle, Fabian (16 December 2019). ""Omas gegen Rechts" erhalten den Freiburger Integrationspreis". Badische Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Initiative "Omas gegen rechts" erhält Paul-Spiegel-Preis 2020". Central Council of Jews in Germany (in German). 19 January 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Omas gegen Rechts werden mit Aachener Friedenspreis ausgezeichnet" [Omas gegen Rechts awarded Aachen Peace Prize]. Die Zeit. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.

Further reading

  • Monika Salzer: Omas gegen Rechts – Warum wir für die Zukunft unserer Enkel kämpfen. Droemer HC, Munich, 2017, ISBN 978-3-426-27811-6.
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