Extremism: Right-Wing Youth Movements Stirring Up Students in Germany
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Radical right-wing activists focus their attacks on young academic learners - Right-wing extremists employ strategies to lure schoolchildren
The Identitarian Movement, a right-wing extremist group, has recently been distributing propaganda at schools in several states, such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It seems they're working together on this campaign. So, who are these guys? What's the big deal?
The Identitarians are a radical group with racist and Islamophobic views. They frequently make headlines with protest actions like building occupations, and even unfurled a banner at the Brandenburg Gate with the slogan: "Protect borders - save lives." In Germany, they're under the watch of the Constitutional Protection. They see themselves as a "patriotic youth group" and are active across the country with regional chapters, heavily utilizing social media.
The movement primarily targets young people, according to the Baden-Württemberg Constitutional Protection. They spread their extremist opinions mainly online and through banner and poster campaigns. Approximately 100 people belong to the group in the southwest.
The Identitarians believe that ethnic origin is the sole criterion for belonging to the German people. They believe each people should live exclusively on its own territory to preserve its identity and thus advocate for "Remigration" - the reversal of migration movements.
Issues Grasping Youth's Attention
The currently circulating flyers bear the title "Teachers can't handle these questions." This non-political title is also common on social media platforms like TikTok. On the back, various political troubles are addressed. For example, it suggests that German youth are now a minority in major cities because of "mass immigration" which leads to an increase in violence against women. The flyers generate mistrust against people with a migration background.
The flyers also touch upon future uncertainties among young people. They propose "Remigration" as a solution to all problems. "Fight back!" it concludes, "Join the Identitarian Movement." The aim of this campaign appears to be attracting new members in the youth demographic.
The Impact on the Youth
"This is classic fear-mongering," explains Rolf Frankenberger, scientific director at the Institute for Right-Wing Extremism Research at the University of Tübingen. Tagging one's own population as a minority, advocating for "Remigration" – these tactics are not new. But, addressing future anxieties of young people is novel. The melting pension and collapsing healthcare system are also mentioned. On the flyers, a generational conflict with the "boomers" is specifically addressed, explains Frankenberger.
The Identitarians have a knack for blowing themselves up with such actions and presenting themselves as more significant than they actually are, says the researcher. However, the concern with the flyers lies in the potential for luring young people into their extremist circles, where radicalization could take place. The Identitarians are estimated to target young people between the ages of 13 and 16, who are in the midst of puberty and questioning their identity.
Fighting Back: What Schools Can Do
According to researcher Frankenberger, these flyers should not be ignored. Instead, they should be brought to a shared classroom and discussed.
The Bavarian Ministry of Culture emphasizes that schools can contact their local commissioners for democracy and tolerance in case of extremist incidents. Preventing extremism is integrated into the teaching curriculum, along with visits to concentration camp memorials. Minister of Culture Anna Stolz (Free Voters) also refers to the "Constitution Quarter Hour" introduced in Bavaria. This initiative aims to foster awareness of values like freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law.
The Ministry of Culture in neighboring Baden-Württemberg acknowledges disinformation as a threat to social cohesion. Consequently, a task force has been established in the southwest to consolidate efforts against media and democracy education in schools. Moreover, a new subject will soon be introduced in higher schools - Informatics and Media Education. In this subject, students will learn to question information critically, analyze sources, and categorize interests in information dissemination.
In summary, the Identitarian Movement, while not extensively referenced in research, is part of a larger landscape of right-wing extremism. They primarily target young people, using online platforms and appealing to youthful solidarity and identity. Their impact on youth can be profound, leading to potential radicalization and social instability. For more specific details about the Identitarian Movement's activities in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, further research is necessary. However, the broader trend of growing far-right influence among youth in Germany is a significant concern, affecting social cohesion and security across the country.
EC countries should focus on implementing comprehensive measures to counter extremist groups like the Identitarian Movement, particularly in education-and-self-development and media education. Political discussions should aim to address and debunk the extremist views and propaganda distributed by such groups, such as the Identitarians, who are targeting young people in Germany with fear-mongering tactics. In the wake of the movement's growing influence among youth, general-news outlets and social media platforms should prioritize responsible reporting and "fake news" detection to safeguard the education and well-being of future generations.
