In a shocking incident that has stirred outrage across the region, a roofing company placed a racist advertisement in the official gazette of Sebnitz, a small town in Saxony, Germany. The ad, which was published in the latest issue of the "Grenzblatt" on April 17, 2025, sparked immediate condemnation from local authorities, religious leaders, and political parties alike.
The advertisement, ostensibly thanking customers for 30 years of loyalty and offering an apprenticeship, included a disturbing disclaimer: "But: no hook-nosed, Bimbos or Zeppelin carriers!" This blatant use of antisemitic and xenophobic language has drawn sharp rebuke from various quarters. Michael Baudisch, a spokesperson for the Catholic Church in the region, expressed his shock, stating, "As the Catholic Church of the region, we are appalled by the audacity with which racist and antisemitic vocabulary is used, spread, and displayed."
Brigitte Lammert, the leading evangelical cleric in the Pirna church district, echoed these sentiments, questioning the moral direction of society when such statements are permitted in private advertisements within an official publication. "In what direction is our society developing if shameful, provocative, and inhumane statements can be expressed in private ads in the official gazette?" she asked.
The city administration of Sebnitz was quick to distance itself from the advertisement, emphasizing that it is only responsible for the editorial content of the gazette and had no prior knowledge of the advertisement section before publication. In a statement on Facebook, the administration described the ad as containing "contemptuous and xenophobic content" and stated, "Such a thing is shameful and unacceptable. We are equally appalled and are currently trying to clarify the situation." They have filed a criminal complaint against both the author of the advertisement and the publisher.
Mayor Ronald Kretzschmar did not hold back in his condemnation, calling the advertisement "shameful and unacceptable." He confirmed that he had filed a criminal complaint against the roofer and the publisher responsible for the gazette. The mayor stated, "Hate speech, antisemitism, and xenophobia have no place here and are rejected in every form."
The publisher of the gazette, Linus Wittich Medien KG, also issued an apology, calling the publication of the advertisement a "serious mistake" and expressing deep regret for the incident. They have since removed the page containing the advertisement from the online version of the gazette and are reviewing their internal processes to prevent such occurrences in the future. The company has also terminated its business relationship with the craftsman responsible for the ad.
Political repercussions have followed swiftly. The Left party, led by state party chair Susanne Schaper, has filed criminal complaints against the roofing company, the publisher, and the city administration. Schaper emphasized, "This is incitement to hatred; the advertisement is clearly antisemitic and racist." She further criticized the city administration for its lack of oversight, stating that they cannot simply excuse their ignorance regarding the advertisement section. "We expect the city administration to immediately change its processes and ensure that no one can place inhumane content in the gazette again," she insisted.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the normalization of hate speech and discrimination in society. Baudisch reiterated the need for a strong societal response, stating, "Incitement to hatred, antisemitism, and xenophobia must be decisively opposed. This brutalization of language is inhumane and must not go unchallenged." Lammert warned that allowing such language to proliferate could lead to greater societal issues, including intolerance and violence.
As the dust settles on this controversy, the local community is left grappling with the implications of such overt racism being published in an official document. Lisa Thea Steiner, chairwoman in the district, described the incident as a "political alarm signal" and announced plans for a demonstration on the market square in Sebnitz on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The demonstration aims to raise awareness against racism and to promote solidarity within the community.
The incident is particularly striking given the political landscape in Sebnitz, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party received 54.6 percent of the votes in the last federal election. The party's candidate garnered 57.4 percent of first votes, reflecting a concerning trend in the area. Critics warn that the normalization of such views could lead to a more significant erosion of democratic values.
As the community of Sebnitz confronts this troubling episode, the responses from the city administration, religious leaders, and political figures highlight a collective rejection of hate speech and a commitment to ensuring that such incidents do not occur again. The call for change in the gazette's oversight processes is a crucial step toward fostering a more inclusive and respectful community.
In the end, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by racism and antisemitism in society, and the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to combat such ideologies. As various stakeholders come together to address this issue, the hope is that it will lead to meaningful change and a renewed commitment to uphold the values of dignity and respect for all individuals.
