Neo-Nazis left dry at far-right festival
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Neo-Nazis left dry at far-right festival

Police confiscated 4,400 litres of beer from attendees, while opponents of the far-right bought up the local supply to Nazis couldn't get access to it

Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist

Alcohol banned in Ostritz (Picture Alliance: Polizeidirektion Gorlitz)
Alcohol banned in Ostritz (Picture Alliance: Polizeidirektion Gorlitz)

Opponents of a neo-Nazi festival in the eastern German town of Ostritz have engaged in a novel form of protest: buying up the local supply of beer, so that the neo-Nazis did not get access to drink.

The action came after police banned alcohol at the far-right “Schild und Schwert festival” (Sign and Sword) at a hotel in the town where around 500-600 neo-Nazis gathered last weekend.

Police confiscated 4,200 litres of beer on Friday and another 200 litres from attendees on Saturday.

About 300 people marched peacefully through the streets of Ostritz in protest against the event, according to police. Local citizens meanwhile bought up more than 100 crates of beer from nearby supermarkets, effectively rendering Ostritz dry.

 

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