Omas gegen Rechts (; Grannies against the Right) is a (initiative of citizens) in Germany and Austria. Founded in Vienna in 2017, in protest at extreme right-wing political positions, a German initiative was founded in 2018. Its members are mostly women in retirement or close to legal retirement age, concerned about developments in politics and social life that they regard as detrimental to a future for their grandchildren. Omas gegen Rechts were awarded the Paul Spiegel Prize for civil courage by the Central Council of Jews in Germany in 2020.

History

The initiative Omas gegen Rechts was founded in Vienna in 2017 by journalist

Susanne Scholl Susanne Scholl (born 19 September 1949) is an Austrian journalist, writer and ''doyenne'' of the foreign correspondents of the ORF (broadcaster), ORF. Life and career Born in Vienna, Scholl is the daughter of an assimilated Austrian-Jewish me ...

and

Monika Salzer Monika Salzer (born 11 February 1948) is an Austrian psychotherapist, Protestant theologian and pastor, columnist, and author. She worked in hospitals handling clinical pastoral care for the seriously ill, including the education of voluntary ca ...

, a retired pastor. Salzer said that it was in response to the coalition of the

Austrian People's Party The Austrian People's Party (german: Österreichische Volkspartei , ÖVP ) is a Christian-democratic and liberal-conservative political party in Austria. Since December 2021, the party has been led provisionally by Karl Nehammer. It is currentl ...

and the Freedom Party of Austria during the

first Kurz government The First Kurz government (german: Erste Bundesregierung Kurz or ''Kurz I'' for short) was the 30th Government of Austria in office from 18 December 2017 until 3 June 2019. It succeeded the Kern government formed after the 2017 legislative elec ...

. She wrote a book explaining why women who experienced life fight for the future of their grandchildren, ''Warum wir für die Zukunft unserer Enkel kämpfen''. Beginning in spring 2018, the Omas gegen Rechts is also active in Germany, as initiated by Anna Ohnweiler, a former teacher and social worker who grew up in socialist Romania. An association was founded and according to

Deutsche Welle Deutsche Welle (; "German Wave" in English), abbreviated to DW, is a German public, state-owned international broadcaster funded by the German federal tax budget. The service is available in 32 languages. DW's satellite television service con ...

as of November 2020, it has 3000 members, a fifth of them male, and the movement is active in more than 70 towns. The '' Berliner Zeitung'' noted around 100 regional groups in Germany as of 2020.

Actions

In Germany and Austria, the ''Omas gegen Rechts'' appear at various demonstrations and events. Pink or colorful knitted hats, so-called "pussyhats", serve as a distinguishing mark. According to the organisation, the caps are "signs of non-violent resistance and solidarity". In Februar 2020, the choir of the local section in munich of ''Omas gegen Rechts'' performed together with

Sarah Hakenberg Sarah (born Sarai) is a biblical matriarch and prophetess, a major figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pious ...

on the ZDF- Kabarett-Show Die Anstalt auf. According to their own statements, the performance was "the musical response to the right-wing outrage after the children's choir song Meine Oma ist 'ne Umweltsau". ‚ Meine Oma ist ’ne Umweltsau‘“. (direct translation: My grandma is an environmental pig) On 4 July 2020, Omas gegen Rechts supported the demonstration organized by the SPÖ Braunau for the preservation of the memorial stone in front of Hitler’s birthplace. Speakers against the "neutralization of history" planned by the Ministry of the Interior were

Robert Eiter Rob Eiter (born September 12, 1967) is an American Olympic wrestler. He competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he wrestled in the 48 kilogram (105 pound) weight class. He wrestled for Sunkist Wrestling Club and attended ...

from the Upper Austrian Network against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism, the writer Ludwig Laher and Member of the National Council

Sabine Schatz The Sabines (; lat, Sabini; it, Sabini, all exonyms) were an Italic people who lived in the central Apennine Mountains of the ancient Italian Peninsula, also inhabiting Latium north of the Anio before the founding of Rome. The Sabines div ...

Goals

The initiative is active against

antisemitism Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite. Antisemitism is considered to be a form of racism. Antis ...

, racism and misogyny. It points at the danger of

fascist Fascism is a far-right, Authoritarianism, authoritarian, ultranationalism, ultra-nationalist political Political ideology, ideology and Political movement, movement,: "extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and pol ...

tendencies, observed in Austria, Germany and other European countries. The initiative supports equal opportunity and

tolerance Tolerance or toleration is the state of tolerating, or putting up with, conditionally. Economics, business, and politics * Toleration Party, a historic political party active in Connecticut * Tolerant Systems, the former name of Veritas Software ...

and supports the Fridays for Future movement. Regional groups participate in actions against Protests over COVID-19 policies in Germany.

Awards

In December 2019, Omas gegen Rechts received the Integrationspreis of

Freiburg im Breisgau Freiburg im Breisgau (; abbreviated as Freiburg i. Br. or Freiburg i. B.; Low Alemannic German, Low Alemannic: ''Friburg im Brisgau''), commonly referred to as Freiburg, is an independent city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With a population o ...

, and in November 2020 the Paul Spiegel Prize for Civic Courage (Paul-Spiegel-Preis für Zivilcourage) of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

References

External links

* Austria * Initiative Germany * {{official website, https://www.omas-gegen-rechts.org Association Germany
Omas gegen rechts / Bündnis
(in German) 2017 establishments in Austria 2017 protests 2018 establishments in Germany 2018 protests Anti-racism in Austria Anti-racism in Germany Anti-racist organizations in Europe Initiatives Opposition to antisemitism in Austria Opposition to antisemitism in Germany