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Hitler Salute

Hitler salute greets concentration camp visitors

Two German women have been arrested for giving a Hitler salute and singing a neo-Nazi song to foreign tourists on their way to Germany's Sachsenhausen concentration camp museum, prosecutors said Thursday. "The tour group was joined on a commuter train platform by two women who marched alongside them, sang the song 'White Aryan resistance' and gave them the Hitler salute," the prosecutors office in Neuruppin, Germany, said in a statement.
Ref. Source 7j

Salute Hitler

I already see the argument that freedom of speech is violated when you are arrested for expressing yourself without infractions upon others. But also stated in the article was the fact of laws prohibiting nazi symbols. This will very likely prove to be a debate here but I think that regardless of the country in which a person lives, certain civil liberties as well as certain privileges pertaining to historic events, good or bad, is still a freedom that everyone should have. However, these two young ladies were also under the influence, in which case that is a charge of "drunk in public" that should definitely be enforced. That may not be the case over there, but in America that is how it would have to go down. Curious to see opinions from everyone that may be more familiar with the area over seas from me.

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If there were already laws on the books then the two women are legally liable. As an american, who strongly believes in the unalienable rights of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, I don't really believe a state has the right to regulate speech especially if that speech cannot be found to incite violence. What these women said was distasteful but hardly qualifies as inciting violent action. Maybe this incident will bring the issue of freedom of speech into debate in Germany.

Salute Hitler

I do not see the debate here since Germany has (as you mentioned) strong laws against nazi symbols and nazi expressions, therefore these girls broke such laws. We can argue that everyone has the right to believe in whatever thing they want but I strongly feel that Germany cannot allow such a thing to occur after Nazis killed more than 10 million people not very long ago and where there is so many pro-nazis groups that need to be carefully controlled.

I doubted very much. Germany is not the US and after such a history with the Third Reich, I doubt very much anybody would oppose to such laws and if they do, it would be the minority. If these laws are not in place, believe me, it could happen once again.

I do not think that what these girls did was just distasteful, it may be for us who has not been direct victims, what about the survivors? what about watching your hand every day and seeing a number on it reminding you every single day of being in a concentration camp? and then someone comes closer to you and gives the Hitler Salute?. Just to think about.

Salute Hitler

I don't think regulating what people can say is an effective way to curtail actions. In fact I think it may be healthier to let people express their thoughts in public. People will hold illogical, offensive and even downright cruel opinions wether they are allowed to express them or not. It is better to know what people are thinking or feeling so that action can be taken to prevent it from escalating into action.
sometimes an attempt at silencing opinions gives them more credence then simply ignoring them or countering them with the truth.

Hitler Salute

Suek, even though I technically agree with you, I think those laws particularly in Germany are very good and neccesary based on history and present facts of anti-semitism. I know they may not stop the ideology itself but I think it's a good way to show the rest of the world that Germany do not tolerate things of that nature.

Hitler Salute

I see where LDS_forever is coming from about Germany's history, I just highly value the idea of freedom of expression and try to apply my views with consistency. When it comes down to it though Germany is a free and functioning democracy and the it is up to the people what type of speech they will tolerate, if they feel strongly enough about it they could repeal the laws but public opinion is most likely on the side of the existing laws. I know how I would feel if this type of incident happened in the united states but LDS_forever is right, Germany has a different history. I still believe that any infringement on the freedom of speech is wrong, but I can see how the German people and authorities could see it differently.

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No you cannot get arrested for that! A kid in my school did a Nazi salute at a Jewish teacher and only got suspension.

WAR White Aryan Resistance is a very scarry organization. In my county WAR has been putting up swastikas on Jewish graves and on black churches!

Message Edited! Persephone: Spelling corrected. Please use spell checker.