Two Saturdays ago, neonazis took to the streets of Berlin-Friedrichshain. We can fortunately find solace in the fact that their pathetic display started late and ended early: they could only march for 100 meters before being dispersed, their vitriol stifled thanks to counter-protesters who outnumbered the ruffians by more than two-to-one.
Still, that over 850 thugs and charlatans felt so empowered should, under no circumstance, be ignored. Particularly since the last two of such demonstrations in Berlin – in February and December – could muster only 150 and 60 participants, respectively. As once fascistic undertones become everyday politics across the Atlantic, and as the AfD is sworn in as the second political force in parliament, there has been no better time for German neonazis in perhaps all our lifetimes.
History has molded Germany into the country of nie wieder: nevermore. But whose promise of nevermore should we trust? That of an outgoing government whose policies glaringly failed to contain the AfD? Or that of an oncoming government, led by the man who put the first dent on the firewall meant to contain the far-right?
We should rather trust the promise of the almost 1.5 million people – workers, students, and even grandmas – who just this year have protested for democracy and against the rise of the far-right. Because these are the people who put their bodies on the line to stop neonazis on their tracks. These are the people who, if the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan, will be there, like Poe’s Raven: never flitting, still sitting, and shouting nevermore.
Rodrigo holds a BSc diploma in Political Science and International Relations from Leiden University in The Netherlands. He is also one of the current editors at The Governance Post.
This brief article is part of our new ‘Monday Takes’ series. Do you want to submit a take as well, for example for next Monday? Check out the submission form (opening each Tuesday).