It’s hard to overstate the shock felt by democratic, liberal Germany as it witnessed the racist rioting in Chemnitz at the end of August. The country has been caught off guard entirely. Our sense of civility is now threatened by hatred and contempt.
In recent years we’d already encountered street violence involving militant rightwing extremists. They had their sympathisers – but very few in mainstream German society. Yet in Chemnitz ordinary locals sided openly with the perpetrators of racist aggression. This marked a shift. Political vitriol was pouring on to the streets, accompanied by physical assaults.
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