Wilhelmshaven: City takes action against hate comments on the net!

Wilhelmshaven: City takes action against hate comments on the net!

In an alarming step, the city of Wilhelmshaven announces that it will take legal action against insulting comments on the Internet! The wave of threats and insults against politicians is increasing, and now a particularly brazen comment in a Facebook group becomes a target. The comment published in August assumes the members of the city council and has now been deleted. City spokeswoman Julia Muth emphasizes: "We support the request to act against hate speech and insult." Despite the assessment that the chances of success are low, the display is submitted as soon as possible.

political reactions and demands

The SPD parliamentary group has repeatedly pointed out this incident in the past few weeks and criticized that the administration is not sufficiently behind the council members. Group leader Volker Block called for a "clear attitude and a consistent approach" in a letter to Mayor Carsten Feist. Muth, however, makes it clear that it is not the task of the administration to take legal action. According to the Legal Service Act, the administration may not advise affected council members. Nevertheless, the city sees the need to file a complaint as a collective body of the Council.

a worrying trend

The situation is alarming: volunteer local politicians and administrative staff are increasingly victims of insults and threats on the net. The Wilhelmshaven/Friesland police inspection recently pointed out in a lecture that such incidents increase not only online, but also in public spaces, such as at voting. The Greens and the AfD are particularly affected. The police warn of a "massive brutalization of society" and advises everyone affected to report incidents immediately. Time is pushing and the city of Wilhelmshaven is now going through!