Graffiti Marred Memorial in Gera: Swastika on Tribute to Anti-Nazi Priest
A noteworthy stumbling block dedicated to the late Nazi opponent and Catholic priest, Aloys Scholze, was disfigured with a swastika in the heart of Gera. Witnesses stumbled upon the defacing on the memorial stone crafted by artist Gunter Demnig back in 2015, positioned near the St. Elisabeth parish church in Gera. Upon discovering this heinous act, the criminal investigation department promptly took charge of the case. With suspicions mounting, other stumbling stones erected in the city were subjected to a thorough examination as well.
Aloys Scholze (1893-1942) stood out as one of three priests from the diocese of Meissen who endured the horrors of the Dachau concentration camp. Resilient amidst the Nazi rise to power, Scholze devoted his efforts to aiding persecuted individuals and dissenting regime opponents, ultimately paying the ultimate price for his valor. The German Dean Bertram Wolf shared his sentiment regarding the deplorable defacing, terming it an affront: "Regrettably, this incident serves as a grim reminder that there are individuals who remain untouched by history's teachings, and yet perpetuate the ills of National Socialism."
This outrageous act of vandalism reaffirms the presence and threat of extremist ideologies in today's contemporary society. The disgraceful staining of the stumbling stone with a swastika serves as a stark wake-up call, imploring society to remain vigilant and steadfast in their pursuit of historical preservation and justice.
While sources failed to detail the current measures and responses employed to address the vandalism, the sheer gravity of the situation suggests an active cooperation between the authorities and the Jewish community in Gera. In response to such acts of intolerance, it is common for the authorities, Jewish organizations, and local communities to join forces, pooling their resources to investigate, clean, and restore the memorial, employing heightened security measures, and disseminating public statements denouncing the act. To unearth further specifics, one could delve into local news sources or official announcements from the relevant authorities and Jewish organizations in Gera.
