Am 20.07.2019 As a result of the march of the neo-Nazi micro-party “The Right” in Unterneustadt, local transport in the Kassel city area came to an almost complete standstill. At the same time there were around that day 40 Neo-Nazis were driven in a KVG bus from the main train station to the demo start at Unterneustädter Kirchplatz, thus enabling them to travel comfortably. A look back at the events of that day prompted, to question the city's supposed commitment to the neo-Nazi march.
A guest comment by Henning Wolters
Neo-Nazis on the way to their opening rally. (Photo: heldmann.photography)
Many will still remember this day well, as they were either at the counter-demonstrations or desperately trying to, to somehow get through the city. Were appreciated that day 100.000 Passengers affected by the almost all-day suspension of public transport. In addition to the demonstration of the approx. 120 Several demonstrations and actions took place by neo-Nazis in the course of the counter-protest, which are approx. 10.000 people connected.
The city of Kassel had tried in advance, to prevent the planned meeting of the “The Right” party by issuing a ban. This comes from a press release from 10. July. This order was declared unlawful by the Kassel Administrative Court and a complaint by the city to the Hessian Administrative Court was also rejected. At least that was the legal remedy, which the city was able to take against the neo-Nazi march, exhausted.
Am 19. The Kassel transport company KVG announced in July in a breaking news story, that all journeys on the day of the demonstration on all KVG lines in the Kassel city area, the routes to Vellmar, Baunatal and would be absent through the Lossetal. The NVV would also use its buses and RegioTrams no longer serve the city center. The setting of the This established local transport throughout the city, that in the course of During protests, several streets throughout the city were closed to traffic would. This was how public transport in the city area was all day long hired and initially stood against 20 Clock available again.
The “Kassel Left” faction of the Kassel city council then presented the matter to the magistrate 12. August some questions about this decommissioning. In January 2020 These questions were finally answered after almost five months. From the answer it is clear, that the economic loss for the KVG resulting from the discontinuation of public transport is expected to be between 30.000 and 40.000 euros. Furthermore, it becomes clear, that the police and the assembly authorities of the city of Kassel were responsible for the shutdown. This was the reason why the tram was stopped, that water cannons may be used if necessary and that the overhead lines should therefore be de-energized.
Given the fact, that apart from the demonstrations by the “Alliance against the Right”, the entire demo event took place in Unterneustadt, it is questionable, why the entire Kassel local transport had to come to a standstill. The magistrate's answer suggests this, that the Kassel transport company was unable to do so, to develop replacement timetables or sub-networks at short notice. But it also shows, that the assembly authorities and police preferred to keep all options open, to enable the march, than to guarantee that public life in Kassel runs smoothly. Who tries, to remember it, when the last time water cannons were used by the police in Kassel, have to think a little longer. As well on 20. In July there was no use of water cannons.
It further emerges in the Magistrate's response, that the 40 Neo-Nazis, those with a KVG- Buses were transported from the main train station to the start of the demo, didn't have to pay for the trip. Because it wasn't a public trip, no tickets were issued, so the Magistrate. Taking over the vehicle- and personnel costs were still promised by the police. Transport by a KVG bus was a joint decision by the assembly authority and the police. This could be a cynical way of summarizing what happened, that the mayor Christian Geselle preferred as head of the assembly authority 40 enabling neo-Nazis to travel comfortably to the demo, than keeping public transport running.
The city of Kassel invoked this after the failed ban proceedings, to have done everything possible, to prevent the “right wing” march. The Police operational concept and the violent evacuation of a sit-in blockade is rarely seen as political will in public discourse, but simply understood as necessary. Also the further information about the events on 20. July is now counteracting the image of the city of Kassel, she would have used all means available to achieve this, not to allow the march of the neo-Nazi small party to take place.