Saxony-Anhalt: Human chain prevents AfD politician Tillschneider from attending the Halle commemoration

The AfD member of the state parliament, Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, tried to take part in the memorial event to commemorate the anti-Semitic attack in Halle. As a spokesman for the Halle police station confirmed, Tillschneider wanted to enter the synagogue grounds shortly before the commemoration event began at midday. However, several people present formed a human chain in front of the entrance to the site, preventing the politician from taking part in the event.

The AfD is classified as right-wing extremist in Saxony-Anhalt. She still won the state elections in September, and Tillschneider was elected vice president of the new state parliament in Magdeburg on Tuesday.

The participants in the human chain in Halle protested against Tillschneider's visit to the memorial event. The police said it was a spontaneous gathering. Members of the assembly authority mediated between Tillschneider and the demonstrators and the situation remained calm. After a long discussion, the AfD politician finally left the place.

The victims of the anti-Semitic attack on the synagogue seven years ago will be remembered in several events in Halle today. The acting Prime Minister Sven Schulze and his predecessor Reiner Haseloff (both CDU) also take part in the commemoration.

On October 9, 2019, a heavily armed right-wing extremist tried to break into the synagogue on the highest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur. When he didn't succeed, he shot a 40-year-old passer-by and a 20-year-old guest in a nearby kebab shop. The Naumburg Higher Regional Court sentenced him to life imprisonment followed by preventive detention in 2020.