A right-wing extremist action – apparently carried out by the Identitarians – on the grounds of a school in Vienna-Favoriten caused shocked reactions on Friday. This was preceded by controversial migration statements by Lower Austrian FPÖ regional councilor Gottfried Waldhäusl (“Then Vienna would still be Vienna”). He had been paid handsomely by the parents of these children throughout his working life. In old age, he will trust that the children he has just rejected will also help fund his retirement,” emphasized the representatives of the parents of the school involved in a statement available to krone.at.
A banner was placed in front of the Laaerberg secondary school in Vienna-Favoriten saying “Waldhäusl is right”. Worryingly, hundreds of flyers also call for all migrants to be deported from the country. And as a bonus, there is a threat that “our” Austria will be “taken back”.
“We will oppose this development”
The representatives of the parents are shocked. “The children of the gymnasium stand for solidarity. To make these young people feel that they are not part of this country is in no way unacceptable,” the statement said.
“Folk Classification”
One will never forget where the “racial” classification of people and the far-right violence in the streets have led in the recent past. “We will oppose this development in every democratic way. We owe this to our children, but also to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and the Shoah.”
Parallels with the Nazi regime
Parallels are also drawn with the Nazi regime. “While the leading figures of National Socialism at the beginning of their rise incited people with words, the SA did their dirty business. Only the social acceptance of this violence against dissenters and Jews led to the greatest crimes of humanity in the 1930s. Unfortunately, Waldhäusl cannot escape responsibility for initiating the attack on our school.”
According to the parents’ association, the schoolchildren are “more Viennese than the provincial councilor from Lower Austria knows”. They would all exceed the criteria for integration. “And yet they are told that it would be better if they were not there. When would Waldhäusl start accepting people as Austrians?”
Karner: “Ghosts Called Kickl”
The poster campaign was also strongly condemned at a political level. “The right-wing extremists are ghosts that (FPÖ leader) Herbert Kickl called. They have now shown that they are not afraid of intimidating children,” emphasized Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). According to him, the actions of the identities make it clear that there are no longer any inhibitions. “However, they will not succeed with their slogans to incite hatred and endanger our democratic coexistence,” confirmed the interior minister.
Integration Minister Raab called the school class
Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) personally called the affected school class on Thursday and informed the young people that this was not their understanding of integration. “Integration is not about origin and skin color, but about what everyone is willing to contribute to our society and how you can get involved,” says Raab. In the telephone conversation, she especially encouraged the girls of this school class.
SPÖ: “We are closed behind the school”
Compared to krone.at, the SPÖ favorites were “deeply shocked by such seriously racist statements”, which are also aimed at children and young people. “We wholeheartedly support the entire school and are already in contact with the class for a friendly chat. We want to support the children and show them that they are welcome and that we are proud that they are politically active,” said the social democratic favourites.
“Inhuman Racists”
Vienna’s deputy mayor and councilor for integration, Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), also condemned the actions in the strongest possible terms: “In Vienna, there is room for everyone who contributes to living together and abides by our rules. Inhumane racists don’t belong!”
“Someone like Waldhäusl has no place in political office. For him and his party, it’s not about solutions, it’s just about spreading hate and hate speech and turning people against each other in Austria,” Greens youth spokeswoman Barbara Neßler said with conviction.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
