Gathering call from Marburger Network, scheduled for the 2nd of September

On September 2nd, 2025, the "Marburg Network for Democracy and against Right-wing Extremism" will convene at the Technology and Conference Center (TTZ), Softwarecenter 3, 35037 Marburg, starting at 6 PM. This meeting, taking place after the summer break, is part of the network's ongoing activities.

The focus of this gathering will be on the topic of "Hate Speech". Hanno Wilk, from the Internet Crime Department at the Hessian General State Prosecutor's Office, will speak about the legal dimension of hate speech. Stefanie Zacharias from HateAid, a non-profit organisation that advocates for human rights in the digital space and engages against digital violence, will provide concrete recommendations for political and societal action, as well as for each individual, to promote better coexistence while preserving freedom of speech and enabling participation.

Before the two presentations, members of "Omas gegen Rechts Marburg" will share their experiences with hate speech. This group was exposed to hate postings on social media after painting parking spaces in rainbow colours in the city area.

Hanno Wilk will address questions such as: "What is punishable? What does the justice system do? How can I defend myself? Is filing a complaint worthwhile?" Stefanie Zacharias, on the other hand, will address the topic from a different perspective, offering practical solutions and recommendations.

The meeting will consist of 30-minute presentations from each speaker, followed by a question and discussion session. This change in the meeting format was decided by the network council in a meeting in June. Previously, the supporters of the network have always met on the last Tuesday of the month. However, starting in September, the meetings will now occur on the first Tuesday of every month.

This network meeting is just one of the many initiatives taken by the "Marburger Netzwerk für Demokratie und gegen Rechtsextremismus" to combat hate speech and promote a more inclusive society.