The actions of right-wing journalist Götz Kubitschek led to protests in front of the University of Vienna on Friday afternoon. About 200 counter-protesters disrupted a demonstration consisting of 60 people from the right-wing spectrum. There was a scuffle. One person was arrested.
The right-wing journalist was originally invited by the Ring of Freedom Students (RFS) for a panel discussion at the university. However, the university forbade this because it was not announced at registration that Kubitschek would act as a speaker. The performance was then moved to the public space, namely to the stairs in front of the university.
The Austrian Student Union (ÖH) and other groups subsequently announced protests, and police initially cordoned off the side lane of the ring road in front of the university. The counter-protesters had already gathered about an hour and a half before Kubitschek’s scheduled speech.
“Vienna, Vienna Nazi-free”
There was a brief commotion when Kubitschek – one of the central proponents of the ‘New Right’ in Germany – tried to enter the hall via the busy ring road. A few counter-protesters tried to push Kubitschek back, shouting “Vienna, Vienna, Nazi-free,” and companions and emergency services intervened. Scuffles broke out and shortly afterwards police broke up the meeting and closed the ring for about an hour.
Sellner also at the demo
In front of the university, fraternity members and identitarians – including their former spokesman Martin Sellner – demonstrated for “freedom of expression”. Under a banner reading ‘Give freedom of thought’, people chanted ‘Freedom of expression is not a crime’ and ‘Our university, our country, the youth are resisting’. Police confirmed one arrest was made during the meeting.
In the evening, Kubitschek will appear at the Freedom Party clubhouse at an event that is not open to the media.
Source: Krone
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