Outcry Follows Racist Chants at Brandenburg Teen Party

A wave of condemnation has swept across Germany following reports of racist chants at a recent teen party in Falkenberg, Brandenburg. The incident, involving the alteration of the song “L’Amour Toujours” with hateful lyrics, has prompted strong reactions from political and religious leaders.

Details of the Incident

During a party held in Falkenberg, attendees were recorded chanting “Deutschland den Deutschen, Ausländer raus” (“Germany for the Germans, foreigners out”) to the tune of “L’Amour Toujours.” A video of the incident circulated online, sparking widespread outrage and prompting investigations by authorities. Police are investigating the incident as a potential case of inciting hatred. Tagesspiegel reports that the investigation is ongoing.

Condemnation from Religious and Political Leaders

Christian Stäblein, the Bishop of the Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Schlesische Oberlausitz, expressed his shock and concern over the incident. “The fact that racist slogans were shouted at a celebration with children and young people in Falkenberg in Brandenburg shocks me,” Stäblein stated. He emphasized the shared responsibility to intervene and set a positive example for young people, promoting respect and inclusion. Tagesspiegel

Brandenburg’s Minister President Dietmar Woidke also voiced his dismay, criticizing the delay in intervention during the party. He stated his shock that the hateful chants continued for two repetitions of the song before anyone intervened. Evangelisch.de

Response from the Club Owner

The owner of the “Blue Velvet” discotheque in Falkenberg, where the incident occurred, stated that they attempted to stop the chants with an announcement over the sound system after becoming aware of the situation. The owner explained that the song initially played from a Spotify playlist and that they were occupied with finding a replacement DJ when the chants began. Evangelisch.de

Broader Concerns

The incident has raised broader concerns about the normalization of right-wing extremist views among young people in Germany. Green Party representatives have highlighted the alarming trend of extremist rhetoric becoming increasingly commonplace, even within youth culture. Evangelisch.de

Christian Stäblein, a German evangelical-Lutheran theologian and Bishop of the Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Schlesische Oberlausitz since November 16, 2019, was born on November 1, 1967, in Bad Pyrmont, Lower Saxony. Wikipedia