Far-Right Extremists Threatening to Burn Down Kindergartens for Taking Pork Off Their Menus

[left-of-center2012]

Two kindergartens in the German city of Leipzig have been receiving death and arson threats after they announced plans to remove pork from their menus out of consideration for Muslim children. Far-right extremists seized on the proposed menu changes, targeting staff with violent threats and railing against the kindergartens on social media.

The incident, which saw the kindergartens placed under police guard for their safety, is the latest striking illustration of how unhinged the debate around immigration, identity and Islam has become in Germany under the influence of far-right agitators. “The debate shows how widespread anti-Muslim racism is, and how openly hatred is now being articulated,” Viola Schmidt, spokeswoman for the anti-racism watchdog Amadeu Antonio Foundation, said. She added that the Leipzig case was especially disturbing as it had involved threats against childcare centers.

Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung revealed the extent of the threats in a Facebook post Tuesday, writing that they had included threats to stab those responsible for the changes through the heart, beat up staff until they were unable to work, and burn down the facilities if pork was not restored to the menu.

He said the outpouring of hate had left him “speechless. In 2019, kindergartens are threatened when they change their menu, because it does not fit a small-minded picture of the world,” he wrote.

Police in Leipzig have made no arrests over the threats so far.

https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/qvgdkq/far-right-extremists-are-threatening-to-burn-down-german-kindergartens-for-taking-pork-off-their-menus

[bobbieinok]

1. Does it seem Germans in former E Germany are more viciously antiMuslim tha those in rest of country?

I don't follow German news very closely, but that's the impression I have picked up.

This news from Leipzig is sad. Wasn't that the city where some of the largest demonstrations against the Soviets took place in 89?!?

[LuvNewcastle]

12. I had a German friend when I was in college.

He was here in the states when the wall came down and during the early stages of re-unification. His girlfriend was writing him about how backward the East Germans were. She said it was going to take a long time to get them caught up with the west. I think they're still dealing with some ignorance and reactionary attitudes in the east.

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Evil reaction to a stupid decision.

[tman]

4. Well said.

[GulfCoast66]

3. I think the people in the east are more authoritarian in their outlook.

I’ve been to Germany 4 times and you can’t help feeling it is a prosperous place, even in small towns. Except for a drive from Berlin to Dresden. It seemed kind of sad. Granted, this was in 07. Maybe things have changed. Or maybe it was my imagination.

One of my favorite DU members lives in Germany. Perhaps he will respond with something more factual.

[Ilsa]

5. Geez, just make the changes, don't announce them.

I suspect no one would have noticed.

[smirkymonkey]

6. The reaction to this is bigoted and violently stupid.

On the other hand, why can the schools just offer meals that don't contain pork for muslim students and keep pork on the menu for the other students. I mean, how often do they serve pork anyway? I'm sure they don't eat it every day.

[912gdm]

10. there is probably a prohibition about having pork prepared in the same kitchen..

same refrigeration, same counter space, etc...

[GeorgeGist]

7. Some White people are snowflakes. /nt

[Iggo]

8. "Why do you need your schools to feed your children pork?"

...is what I would ask them to their faces, so I could watch their brains work from the outside.

[Hekate]

9. My first thought was that it was someplace in America...

[Coventina]

11. I applaud eating no pork regardless of reason.