Omas gegen Rechts

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Omas gegen Rechts
Formation2017 (2017)
Founder
Founded atVienna, Austria
TypeInitiative
PurposeOpposition of far-right politics
Official language
German
Awards
Websitewww.omas-gegen-rechts.org

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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File:Demonstration Free Carola Rackete - Omas gegen Rechts mit Susanne Scholl 2 (Wien).jpg
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 [de].[13]

See also

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References

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Further reading

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  • Monika Salzer: Omas gegen Rechts – Warum wir für die Zukunft unserer Enkel kämpfen. Droemer HC, Munich, 2017, Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
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