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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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References

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  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

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  • 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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