Around 80 people demonstrated against racism and for peace in Sebnitz, south of Dresden, on Easter Monday because of an inhumane job advertisement by a tradesman in the town's official gazette. There were also two spontaneously registered counter-protests from the more right-wing spectrum on the market square with around 130 participants, according to the police. "There were no disruptions", said a spokesperson.
The Left Party had called for the rally after the incident became known, "against contempt for humanity, incitement to hatred, for peace and solidarity with people", said district chairwoman Lisa Thea Steiner. The publication of the advertisement in the official gazette, without verification, was "staggering".
Left demands clarification and consequences
The Left Party demanded clarification from the city council and the mayor as well as consequences. "An apology is not enough", she said. It is also questionable whether someone who has such ideas is still allowed to train and pass on this stigmatization to people.
The Dresden Chamber of Crafts had distanced itself from the behavior at the weekend and announced that it would hear the company regarding its suitability as a training company. The master roofer from Sebnitz held out the prospect of an apprenticeship, but excluded certain people as applicants. These were described using anti-Semitic, racist and discriminatory terms.
The city council condemned the "advertisement with contemptuous and xenophobic content", which also sparked outrage across the region. It filed criminal charges against the author and the publisher, who apologized for the mistake and announced consequences. According to Linke district leader Steiner, it is not enough that the employee responsible was dismissed.
The town in the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district is known for its tradition of artificial flowers and is due to host the "Day of the Saxons" in September.
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