Omas gegen Rechts
{{Short description|Austrian and German anti-right-wing movement}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Omas gegen Rechts
| image = Wien - 2018-01-13 - Großdemo gegen Schwarz-Blau - 06 - Omas gegen Rechts.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Black & white posters at a Vienna demonstration
| formation = {{start date|2017}}
| founder = {{plainlist|
- Susanne Scholl
- Monika Salzer
- Anna Ohnweiler
}}
| founding_location = Vienna, Austria
| type = Initiative
| purpose = Opposition of far-right politics
| membership =
| membership_year =
| language = German
| key_people =
| awards = {{plainlist|
- Paul-Spiegel-Preis für Zivilcourage of the Central Council of Jews in Germany,
- Aachen Peace Prize
}}
| website = {{URL|1=https://www.omas-gegen-rechts.org}}
}}
Omas gegen Rechts ({{IPA|de|ˈoːmas ˈɡeː.ɡn̩ ʁɛçtʰs|}}; Grannies against the Right){{cite web | last=Toynbee | first=Polly | title=Grannies against the right: older women are rising up – could they bring down Brexit? | website=The Guardian | date=7 February 2019 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2019/feb/07/grannies-against-brexit-its-time-for-older-women-to-take-to-the-streets | access-date=20 August 2021}} is a {{ill|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,{{cite web|title=Weil Alter Wissen ist: Wie die Omas gegen Rechts die Republik aufrütteln|periodical=|publisher=Berliner Zeitung|url=https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metropole/omas-gegen-rechts-zentralrat-der-juden-paul-spiegel-preis-li.128674|url-status=|format=|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=|date=30 December 2020|language=|pages=|quote=}} 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
The initiative Omas gegen Rechts was founded in Vienna in 2017 by journalist Susanne Scholl and Monika Salzer, a retired pastor.{{cite news|title=In Rente und Rebellion|periodical=Zeit Online|publisher=|url=https://www.zeit.de/2018/09/monika-salzer-demonstration-widerstand-oevp-fpoe-portrait|url-status=|format=|access-date=20 August 2021|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=Tomic |first=Manuela |date=26 February 2018|language=|pages=|quote=}} 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. She wrote a book explaining why women who experienced life fight for the future of their grandchildren, 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.{{cite web|title=Des Nazis alte Feindin|periodical=|publisher=Deutsche Welle|url=https://www.dw.com/de/des-nazis-alte-feindin/a-55545114|url-status=|format=|access-date=|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=|date=11 September 2020|language=|pages=|quote=}} The Berliner Zeitung noted around 100 regional groups in Germany as of 2020.
Actions
In Germany and Austria, the Omas gegen Rechts appear at various demonstrations and events. Pink or colorful knitted hats, so-called "pussyhats",{{cite web |date=2018-11-12 |title=Omas gegen rechts: "So nett der Bundeskanzler aussieht, die Agenda macht uns Angst" |url=https://www.diepresse.com/5528512/omas-gegen-rechts-so-nett-der-bundeskanzler-aussieht-die-agenda-macht-uns-angst |access-date=2021-01-12 |publisher=Die Presse}} serve as a distinguishing mark. According to the organisation, the caps are "signs of non-violent resistance and solidarity".{{cite web |title=PUSSYHAT-STRICKANLEITUNG |url=https://omasgegenrechts-freiburg.de/2019/10/30/pussyhat-strickanleitung/ |access-date=2021-01-12 |publisher=Omas gegen Rechts Freiburg im Breisgau}}
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.{{cite web |date=2020-02-13 |title="Oma ist 'ne coole Sau": Im ZDF sangen "Omas gegen Rechts" das "Hühnerstall"-Lied |url=https://www.focus.de/kultur/kino_tv/die-anstalt-oma-ist-ne-coole-sau-im-zdf-sangen-omas-gegen-rechts-das-huehnerstall-lied_id_11656623.html |access-date=2021-01-12 |publisher=Focus}} 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").{{fact|date=September 2024}}
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.{{cite web |title=Braunau am Inn am 4.7.20 – "Kundgebung #dersteinbleibt" |url=https://omasgegenrechts.at/braunau-am-inn-am-4-7-20-kundgebung-dersteinbleibt/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=OMAS GEGEN RECHTS}} 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.{{cite web |author=Stefanie Ruep |date=2020-07-04 |title=Kundgebung für den Verbleib des Mahnsteins vor dem Hitlerhaus |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000118512053/kundgebung-fuer-den-verbleib-des-mahnsteins-vor-dem-hitlerhaus |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Der Standard |language=de-AT}}
Goals
File:Demonstration Free Carola Rackete - Omas gegen Rechts mit Susanne Scholl 2 (Wien).jpg]]
The initiative is active against antisemitism, racism and misogyny.{{cite web|title=Omas gegen Rechts setzen Zeichen für Menschenrechte |newspaper=Rheinische Post |url=https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/langenfeld/langenfeld-omas-gegen-rechts-setzen-zeichen-fuer-menschenrechte_aid-55121457 |trans-title=Omas gegen Rechts sends a signal for human rights |date=10 December 2020 | accessdate=2 September 2024}} It points at the danger of fascist tendencies, observed in Austria, Germany and other European countries. The initiative supports equal opportunity and tolerance and supports the Fridays for Future movement. Regional groups participated in counter-protests against protests over COVID-19 policies in Germany.
Awards
In December 2019, Omas gegen Rechts received the Integrationspreis of Freiburg im Breisgau,{{cite news |title = "Omas gegen Rechts" erhalten den Freiburger Integrationspreis |newspaper = Badische Zeitung | last = Vögtle | first = Fabian | url = https://www.badische-zeitung.de/omas-gegen-rechts-erhalten-den-freiburger-integrationspreis--180566206.html#:~:text=Wie%20offen%20und%20bunt%20Freiburg,es%20wurde%20der%20Integrationspreis%20verliehen.&text=%22Ich%20bin%20unglaublich%20stolz%2C%20jetzt,sein%22%2C%20sagt%20Elza%20K%C3%B6nig |access-date=13 August 2021 | date = 16 December 2019 | language = de }} and in November 2020 the Paul Spiegel Prize for Civic Courage (Paul-Spiegel-Preis für Zivilcourage) of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.{{cite web | title = Initiative "Omas gegen rechts" erhält Paul-Spiegel-Preis 2020 |work=Central Council of Jews in Germany |date=19 January 2018 | url = https://www.zentralratderjuden.de/aktuelle-meldung/artikel/news/paul-spiegel-preis-2020/?fbclid=IwAR26vRPHC1fIkf4fJTzyuWxSG0JtG28OpqSmhQ3uY1PN7aKNnw-PX0NBbss |access-date=13 August 2021 | language = de}}
The group was awarded the 2024 Aachen Peace Prize {{small|{{bracket|de}}}}.{{cite news | url=https://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2024-05/aachener-friedenspreis-2024-omas-gegen-rechts-youth-initiative-for-human-rights | newspaper=Die Zeit | trans-title=Omas gegen Rechts awarded Aachen Peace Prize | date=15 May 2024 | accessdate=2 September 2024 | title=Omas gegen Rechts werden mit Aachener Friedenspreis ausgezeichnet}}
See also
- Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Argentina)
- Granny Peace Brigade (United States and Canada)
- Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Argentina)
- Peace Mothers (Turkey)
- Raging Grannies (United States and Canada)
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- Monika Salzer: Omas gegen Rechts – Warum wir für die Zukunft unserer Enkel kämpfen. Droemer HC, Munich, 2017, {{ISBN|978-3-426-27811-6}}.
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{official website|https://www.omasgegenrechts.com/}} Austria
- {{official website|https://www.omas-gegen-rechts.org}} Association Germany
- [https://omasgegenrechts-deutschland.de Omas gegen rechts / Bündnis] (in German)
Category:2017 establishments in Austria
Category:2018 establishments in Germany
Category:Anti-racism in Austria
Category:Anti-racism in Germany
Category:Anti-racist organizations in Europe