Launched is a public petition, avoiding homage from the National Socialists online
In the town of Moers, North Rhine-Westphalia, a petition is circulating, urging the city council to reconsider the renaming of a street after Albert Altwicker. The petition, titled "No Honoring of National Socialists - Renaming of Albert-Altwicker Street in Moers-Utfort," can be signed online at https://weact.campact.de/p/Altwicker.
Altwicker served as the mayor of the community of Repelen-Baerl during the National Socialist (NS) regime, and his actions as mayor and police chief suggest that he was a willing tool of the unjust National Socialist state. According to the Moers City Archivist, Altwicker's official duties consolidated and established the NS regime, as he documented detentions, house searches, and seizures, and in his capacity as head of the local police authority, he reported on arrests, including 'leading personalities of the K.P.D.'.
The street in question was named after Altwicker in 1967, but a 2023 citizen's proposal to rescind this honor was withdrawn during a committee meeting. The city council did not rename the street named after Altwicker.
However, it appears that there is no verifiable historical record or credible source concerning an individual named Albert Altwicker as a Nazi politician or figure. It is possible that the name may be misspelled, confused, or that the claim is based on misinformation.
In post-war Germany, many streets initially named after controversial figures from the Nazi regime were renamed to reflect democratic and humanistic values. It is highly unlikely that a street would be officially named after a Nazi politician today.
The renewed debate over the street's name has sparked controversy. Reiner Lindemann, a local resident, wrote a letter to the Mayor and City Council of Moers on June 16, 2025, expressing his disapproval of the city's and its representatives' reaction. He argues that honoring a figure associated with the NS regime is unacceptable and goes against the values of a democratic society.
As the debate continues, the city council is under pressure to reconsider the renaming of Albert-Altwicker Street. The petition drives the conversation forward, urging the city council to thoroughly examine the topic and take a stand against the honoring of National Socialists.
The petition, titled "No Honoring of National Socialists - Renaming of Albert-Altwicker Street in Moers-Utfort," highlights the need for policy-and-legislation regarding the naming of streets after individuals associated with the NS regime, given the controversial history of Albert Altwicker during politics under the National Socialist state.
Despite the lack of verifiable historical record that labels Altwicker as a Nazi politician or figure, the general-news surrounding his actions as mayor and police chief during the NS regime raises questions about his complicity and the appropriateness of honoring him through a street's name.
