Make use of reports
Any user can report right-wing extremist content online. Authorities such as the police as well as the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution take up indication of content liable to prosecution. There are further instances for reporting right-wing extremist websites online, which screen and assess the contents. Once they find illegal content, they investigate further action. Thus, right-wing extremist offenders can be identified and prosecuted.
How does it work?
One of the authorities online is http://www.jugendschutz.net/hotline/index.html. Should a user encounter right-wing extremist, racist, homophobic or anti-Semitic content, it is a possibility to consult their website and fill out the questionnaire provided online.
How many people should get involved?
You can file the complaint on your own.
How long does it take?
Very quickly.
How much does it cost?
Nothing.
Take a stance online with PicBadges
Do you have a website of your own? Why not use a simple PicBadge to show your website’s visitors you are against Nazis.
How does it work?
Go to pages like http://www.quicksticker.de and create your own PicBadge against Nazis, upload it to your site, and take a stance. Of course you can just as well use our PicBadge.
How many people should get involved?
Nobody.
How long does it take?
Very quickly.
How much does it cost?
Nothing.
Quick action reported quickly
A flash mob is a gathering of people, which otherwise do not know each other, at a designated place in the city to perform a certain action. Place and date are arranged online, as well as the instructions about what to do. A flash mob is a very brief action that spreads attention and irritation and therefore creates high public visibility. However, you should be aware that such events might likely be considered an unannounced assembly (“unangemeldete Demonstration”) from the viewpoint of the police and regulatory authorities, as soon as its purpose is not solely to have fun, but a political statement in the widest sense is put forward. This makes the initiator or leader of such a spontaneous assembly eligible for prosecution. The mere attendance of an unannounced assembly however is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor.
How does it work?
Do you have many friends on Facebook and wish to protest spontaneously against a public event organized by Nazis? Organize a flash mob via Facebook. Name time and place for the meeting point in your posting, and encourage friends to spread the news. Decide what action the flash mob should perform. One possibility would be to cheer and chant down a NPD rally. With a mobilization via Facebook, you might be able to reach way more supporters at a single click than with the usual planning of an event well in advance. It is important that the flash mob disappears just as quick. The effect: people remain confused and wonder. You could distribute flyers or little notes with a website clarifying the reasons for the flash mob. However, the action itself may remain mysterious, humorous, and vexing. And of course can’t hurt to inform the press. A “critical” or “affirmative” attendance of a right-wing extremist rally is permitted and as such would not constitute a further, proper, and potentially unannounced assembly. If there is no announced assembly (“angemeldete Demonstration”) one could ‘attend’, it is also possible to announce an urgent assembly (“Eilversammlung”), should a flash mob take place.
How long does it take?
A posting on Facebook does not take up much time. The actual flash mob should start immediately and not go on for more than five minutes.
How much does it cost?
Nothing.
State clear rules as the administrator of a forum or platform
To allow for fruitful debate, rules for discussion are always helpful. When right-wing extremism is concerned, it is essential that the adherence to the rules is monitored by a skilled host. Should you participate actively in forum discussions, or even administrate a platform, it is advisable that you establish clear rules from the beginning, before any negative incident, or that you call for such rules to be established by the host.
How does it work?
If you are authorized, you can act right away. If you are merely a user of a forum, you can approach the host and state your request in written form. Possible demands could be:
- We expect our users and authors to reject right-wing extremist ideology. Especially racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, and antidemocratic contributions will be deleted. Contributions without relation to the topic of discussion will have to be deleted as well.
- Commentary that meets the offense of incitement of popular hatred (“Volksverhetzung” in German criminal law), of libel or insult, as well as encouragement of violence will be deleted.
- Defamation, vilification, and the like are not wanted here and will be deleted by the host.
- Should you come across a breach of these rules, please do notify us via email. Please state the respective issue, the user’s name, and a note on the circumstances.
How many people should get involved?
The more users pay attention, the better. You can take the lead!
How long does it take?
Very quickly.
How much does it cost?
Nothing.