Court Overturns Ban on Memorial March in Staufenberg - German court overturns ban on controversial torchlit memorial march in Staufenberg
A court in Gießen has overturned a ban on a memorial march planned for this Saturday in Staufenberg, central Hesse. The march, registered in October, was initially prohibited by the town due to concerns it could evoke associations with the Nazi era. The organizer, who has past ties to the far-right party Die Heimat, argued that no criminal offenses were expected and that the use of black-white-red flags was legally unobjectionable.
The town had argued that the organized marching in blocks, columns, or rows, combined with torches, the display of black-white-red flags, and the playing of classical or potentially martial music, could stir up Nazi-era associations. However, the court ruled that the town had prematurely resorted to an outright prohibition and had not sufficiently explored less restrictive measures. The event, set to take the form of a torchlit procession with flags and instrumental classical music, may now proceed as scheduled. The ruling is not yet final, and participants have two weeks to file an appeal with the Hesse Higher Administrative Court.
The organizer, who had met with town officials and police in early November, stated that the march would also include state and German flags. The necessity to register the event was initiated by local authorities to ensure compliance with regulations. While the march can now go ahead, the possibility of an appeal remains open.
