Corona in Munich: A star shines for cohesion – Munich
Show, so it matters: Many citizens came to Odeonsplatz on Thursday evening to send a signal for good cooperation in the pandemic.
(Photo: LUKAS BARTH/REUTERS)
Almost 30 years after the citizens of Munich sent a signal against xenophobia and right-wing extremism with the chain of lights, there is now a star of lights for social cohesion in the pandemic. With candles and cell phone lamps, people came to Odeonsplatz on Thursday evening under the call “Munich becomes visible” to give a positive sign of democracy, reason, solidarity, empathy and respect.
The lights were arranged by more than 1000 participants under the direction of the light artist and media educator Ulrich Thousand in order to announce the cohesion. Among other things, the lettering “Cohesion” was clearly recognizable. A minute’s silence commemorated the many victims of the pandemic.
With the call for a registered demonstration in compliance with the hygiene rules, the three initiators Katrin Richthofer, Monika Löser and Christine Schorr wanted to express their concern about the growing radicalization of corona protest marches.
The initiators also want to show that a broad social majority supports democratic decisions, stands up for one another and is coping with the consequences of the pandemic together. The star of lights should also stand for respectful, non-aggressive interaction with one another and also be understood as a sign of gratitude to everyone “who did dedicated work for the community during the pandemic”.
Setting an example with candles and mobile phones: the demo on Odeonsplatz.
(Photo: LUKAS BARTH/REUTERS)
The call spread quickly via social networks and found more supporters from all walks of life every day. The impetus for Katrin Richthofer, co-founder of the Catholic reform movement Maria 2.0 in Munich, was Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s appeal to the “silent majority” not to stay when extremists lay the ax on basic democratic trust: “That hit many people people around me a nerve. So we got active.” The response was enormous, ranging from representatives of politics to religious communities to the nightclub scene.
“The fact that a bishop and a nightclub owner offered their support at the same time, for example, was a fantastic sign that we really have the whole of society on board,” said Richthofer. In order to make this clear, the initiators also asked that no banners or flags from organizations and associations be brought along, only posters on the topic.
“Solidarity is no walk in the park,” emphasized Ulrich Mill. In her speech, Katrin Richthofer paid tribute to all reliable people who have taken a stand against the pandemic because they have decided to get vaccinated: “It’s only because 75 percent held out their arm that we can dare social life again today.”