Opposition is mounting among anti-Nazi groups in West Germany against a rally of former SS members scheduled to take place in Bad Hersfeld, in the federal state of Hesse, in a few weeks. The town’s authorities, rejecting protests or ignoring them, have already made available for the meeting a public hall supported by the town’s taxpayers.
Three years ago, the town of Nassau on the Lahn River had served as a traditional meeting place for the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler SS division, which was notorious for atrocities committed by its members during the war. But after public protests and demonstrations from 1977 through 1978 the town officials declared the SS guests as unwelcome. An important factor in this decision was the wide media coverage abroad of the SS division and the demonstrations of anti-Nazi groups.
Now the town of Bad Hersfeld is confronted with a similar problem. On the one hand, the SS rally would bring a lot of money to this small community. Some 600 guests have already made reservations for four to five nights, and many restaurants expect booming business during their stay.
On the other hand, the town’s good record as a festival location is at stake, with thousands of guests possibly being irritated and angered if Bad Hersfeld becomes a friendly site for old-time Nazis.
Meanwhile, the German Journalist, Heiner Lichtenstein of the Cologne-based WDR radio station, has called on Jewish organizations to send written protests against the Nazi rally to Bad Hersfeld Mayor Boehmer at 6430 Bad Hersfeld, Postfach 40, West Germany.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
