Heidenau city council bans new Stolpersteine after joint motion by CDU and AfD

Stolpersteine. Source: Amin Akhtar

The city council of Heidenau, Saxony, voted on Thursday evening to reject the installation of new Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) "in public streets and sidewalks." According to Bild, 13 council members voted in favor of the joint motion submitted by the AfD, the CDU, and the Oberelbe Alliance in a secret ballot. Six voted against, and one abstained.

"The laying of so-called 'Stolpersteine' in public streets and sidewalks will be rejected in the future," the resolution states. At the same time, a memorial area is to be created, preferably at the North Cemetery.

Arguments for the Decision

The motion's sponsors argued that pedestrians "consciously or unconsciously" walk over the names of Nazi victims on sidewalks. During the session, one council member reportedly said: "The victims are being trampled underfoot here." An AfD council member added: "In Berlin, people spit on Stolpersteine."

Opposition and Criticism

One participant in the meeting commented on the decision, saying: "For me, this is a form of antisemitism—moving the Stolpersteine to the cemetery." Another council member stated: "Antisemitism exists, which is why we must take action against it."

Proposed Alternative

The cross-party motion stated: "Although Stolpersteine are a well-known project, their placement in sidewalks leads to passersby—consciously or unconsciously—walking over or even stepping on the names of victims." Many citizens, relatives, and initiatives reportedly find this form of remembrance for victims of National Socialism inappropriate.

Instead, remembrance should take place primarily at the city's North Cemetery, "so that direct stepping on the memorial elements is excluded."

City Administration's Recommendation

The city administration had recommended rejecting the motion. "Remembrance should continue to take place visibly and perceptibly in public spaces," it wrote in its proposal. A memorial site at the cemetery could complement the memory of the former homes or workplaces of the persecuted, but could not replace it equally.

Existing Stolpersteine in Heidenau

Heidenau already has Stolpersteine at two locations—including one commemorating former Heidenau Mayor Paul Gröger. Last year, the Alternative Cultural and Educational Center Saxon Switzerland, based in neighboring Pirna, applied for the installation of additional Stolpersteine.

Background

The Stolpersteine memorial project has existed since the 1990s. These donation-funded paving stones, inscribed with the names of Nazi victims, are typically placed at the last known place of residence or work of the victims.