Union fans protest: Criticism of Faeser's security plans

Union fans protest: Criticism of Faeser's security plans

Berlin. Last weekend, the Bundesliga club's football fans showed a politically clear edge. In the explosive game against FC St. Pauli, they unrolled a provocative transparent with the inscription: "Secret house searches and facial recognition software: Free and democratic abroad. But live autocratic fantasies at home? Nancy Faeser. Who do you want to be? Social or Stasi pig?"

The background of these clear words lies in the recently known plan of the Federal Ministry of the Interior under the direction of Nancy Faeser (SPD). This plan provides to legalize hidden house searches in the future and the secret use of espionage technology in private apartments. The Ministry of the Interior justifies these measures with the increasing risk of terrorism and emphasizes that such practices should only be used at the highest risk of terrorism. However, critics fear serious interventions in civil rights.

reactions and follow

The reactions to the plans and the banner subsequently not failed to materialize. Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) clearly and clearly distanced himself from the plans of the Interior Ministry. In a statement shortly after the ideas became known, he said that he rejected such measures.

The topic was also hotly debated on social media platforms. A tweet of the "Politologist" account on August 30, 2024 got the mood well to the point: " #Näncy #faeser has not quite as many fans ... #sachsen #Thuringia #s."

The fans of Union Berlin are known for supporting their club with great passion. But in order to really understand the anger of the fans in this special case, you have to immerse yourself in the history of the club.

historical roots and fan culture

The 1st FC Union Berlin has a eventful past. Unlike the once state -favored rival BFC Dynamo, which was able to celebrate numerous successes in the GDR, the FCU was considered the association of opposition figures. Many fans still have a critical relationship with authoritarian structures, as they once ruled in the GDR regime.

A song that the fans sang in the stadium in the stadium and still can be heard today, this attitude illustrates: “30 meters in the square, only mine field and barbed wire. You know where I live, I live in the zone. But once it will be different, then we tear the wall.

These historical and political backgrounds explain why the fans protested so decisively against the plans of Nancy Faeser. Their transparent is directed not only against the specific measures, but also against repeating surveillance practices that you do not want to experience again from history.

The debate about the use of surveillance technologies and hidden investigations in Germany will certainly continue. But the fans of Union Berlin have impressively showed that their voice wants to and will be heard.