Far-Right Propaganda: Identitarian Movement Trolls Schools with Inflammatory Flyers
Schoolgoers encounter distribution of identity-related pamphlets by activists
The sneaky far-right Identitarian Movement (IB) has been slipping disturbing leaflets under school doors in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and other regions. This concerning campaign mirrors a well-orchestrated plan across the nation. These insidious flyers are targeting students, spreading fear and extremist messages. What's behind this recruitment drive, and how detrimental is it?
The Identitarians are a race-baiting, Islamophobic far-right movement that has made waves with protest actions like occupying buildings and unveiling offensive banners such as "Protect borders - save lives" at Brandenburg Gate. The German domestic intelligence agency keeps a close eye on this radical group, which sees itself as a "patriotic youth movement." Active nationwide with local affiliates and a heavy social media presence, the IB is no stranger to digital warfare.
The movement primarily caters to the youth demographic, according the Baden-Württemberg domestic intelligence agency. It primarily disseminates its messages online through banner and poster actions. In the southwest region, the group is believed to have about 100 members.
Identitarians consider ethnicity as the only determining factor for being part of the German people. They argue that each ethnicity should live exclusively in its own territory to preserve its identity. Under this motto of "Remigration," they call for a reversal of migration movements.
The current flyers are headlined "Teachers hate these questions" - an innocuous-sounding title also popular on social media platforms like TikTok. They continue to address various politically charged topics on the reverse side. For example, one claim is that young people in Germany's major cities are now in the minority due to "mass immigration," leading to increased violence against women. The flyers stir up prejudice towards individuals with migration backgrounds, according to the southwest domestic intelligence agency.
The flyers capitalize on the insecurities of young people, offering "Remigration" as the ultimate solution to all problems. "Fight back!", it finally urges. "Join the Identitarian Movement." This recruitment campaign appears to be an attempt to attract new adolescent members.
Rolf Frankenberger, head of the Institute for Right-wing Extremism Research at the University of Tübingen, sums it up: "This is typical fear-mongering. The melting pension, collapsing healthcare system, generational conflict with 'boomers' – these themes are specifically targeted."
The Identitarian Movement is skilled at exaggerating its significance through such actions. However, the real danger lies in their potential to draw young people into an “alt-right” echo-chamber, where they risk becoming indoctrinated with radical ideology. Research suggests that the movement is primarily targeting adolescents between 13 and 16 years old – a vulnerable age group navigating identity formation.
"Instead of dismissing the flyers, schools should discuss the issues and address the problems openly," advises Frankenberger.
The Bavarian Ministry of Education encourages schools to contact regional commissioners for democracy and tolerance in case of extremist incidents. Extremism prevention is already incorporated into teaching plans, along with visits to concentration camp memorials. Minister of Education Anna Stolz (Free Voters) praises the "Constitution Quarter Hour" introduced in Bavaria, which concentrates on promoting values like freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law. The Bavarian Ministry acknowledges that the spread of disinformation and the risk of radicalization pose growing challenges to schools.
In neighboring Baden-Württemberg, the Ministry views misinformation as a threat to societal cohesion. To combat this, a task force has been established to combine efforts in media and democracy education within schools. Additionally, the introduction of the new subject, "Computer Science and Media Education," will soon be implemented in secondary schools, teaching students to critically evaluate information sources and identify biases, as well as protect themselves online.
- The Identitarian Movement, known for their extremist messages and racial-baiting, has been distributing inflammatory flyers in schools across various regions, including Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as part of a nationwide recruitment drive.
- These flyers, under the headline "Teachers hate these questions," aim to capitalize on the insecurities of young people and offer "Remigration" as a solution to all problems, urging them to join the Identitarian Movement.
- The Identitarians, who see themselves as a "patriotic youth movement," are skilled at digital warfare and have a heavy presence on social media, using these platforms to spread their messages.
- This recruitment campaign by the Identitarian Movement poses a threat to societal cohesion, as it targets adolescents between 13 and 16 years old, a vulnerable age group navigating identity formation.
- To counter this, the Bavarian Ministry of Education encourages schools to discuss the issues and address problems openly, and has introduced the "Constitution Quarter Hour" to promote values like freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law.
- In response, the Ministry of Baden-Württemberg has established a task force to combine efforts in media and democracy education within schools, and plans to introduce the new subject, "Computer Science and Media Education," to teach students critical thinking and online safety.
