"Everyone is understood, everyone is remembered, everyone is attentive."
In Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, a vigil was held on June 16th to remember Patricia Wright, a woman who was tragically killed in a right-wing and misogynistic attack on Marjampolstraße on February 3, 1996. The vigil was organized by three civil society initiatives: the Political Remembrance Initiative, the Alliance against Racism and for Diversity, and the Bergisch Gladbach Association for Democracy and Diversity.
Georg Glaser, spokesperson for the Political Remembrance Initiative, gave a speech about Patricia's life and death. He stated that the crime was significant because it was racist, misogynistic, and politically motivated. Glaser also criticized the often patchy or insensitive reporting on femicides and right-wing violence.
Redouan Tollih, active in the Alliance against Racism and for Diversity, called for resolute support for an open society and urged not to remain silent. Martin Verleger, spokesperson for the "Bergisch for Democracy and Diversity" association, stated that there were 38,000 right-wing criminal offenses in 2024.
The vigil ended with a joint minute of silence in memory of Patricia Wright and all victims of right-wing, racist, misogynistic, or human-hating violence. The event was a silent promise to not look away, not forget, and not leave alone.
Patricia Wright would have turned 53 this Monday. However, her story had faded from public consciousness before being brought back into the public sphere through civil society engagement and exchange with relatives. Despite limited information available about this case, the federal government recognized the crime as right-wing motivated in 2009.
The vigil served as a reminder of the importance of standing against hate crimes and promoting a society that values diversity and equality. It was attended by representatives from the organizations that organized the event, as well as members of the local community who sought to honour Patricia's memory and reaffirm their commitment to a more inclusive society.
- The spokesperson for the Political Remembrance Initiative, Georg Glaser, pointed out during his speech that Patricia Wright's death was not just a tragic general-news event, but a politically motivated crime-and-justice issue due to its racist, misogynistic nature.
- Redouan Tollih, an active member of the Alliance against Racism and for Diversity, emphasized the need for continued attention and action in the politics sphere to support an open and diverse society, imploring everyone not to remain silent about right-wing violence and misogyny.
