Auftritt des Tölzer Stadtwerke-Chefs bei Kundgebung: Unter Querdenkern?

Der Geschäftsführer der Tölzer Stadtwerke, Walter Huber, strebt in den Bundestag. Dabei begibt er sich unter anderem in Gesellschaft des Querdenkers Karl Hilz. Der Geschäftsführer der Tölzer Stadtwerke, Walter Huber, hegt politische Ambitionen. Im Münchner Norden trat der 59-Jährige kürzlich bei einer „Wahlkonferenz“ – einer kleinen Kundgebung unter freiem Himmel vor eher spärlicher Zuhörerschaft – auf und erklärte seine Unterstützung für die Idee des Rechtsanwalts Helmut Krause, möglichst viele „von den etablierten Parteien unabhängige Direktkandidaten“ in den Bundestag zu bringen. Auch Huber selbst stünde als ein solcher Kandidat zur Verfügung, wie er auf Rückfrage des Tölzer Kurier bestätigt. Hubers eigene Rede beschäftigte sich mit dem Thema sichere Energieversorgung und war ausgesprochen sachlich gehalten. Die Veranstaltung insgesamt wies allerdings deutliche Bezüge zur Querdenker-Bewegung auf. Auf Rückfrage des Tölzer Kurier erklärt Huber, dass er einer Querdenker-Fraktion im Bundestag, wie sie der Veranstalter nach eigenen Worten anstrebt, „selbstverständlich nicht angehöre und das auch nicht tun werde“. Von einem im Internet abrufbaren Video, das Hubers Auftritt zeigt, führt ein Link direkt zur Internetseite von Helmut Krause, dem Initiator und Moderator der Veranstaltung. Dort bezieht sich Krause wiederholt auf den Begriff „Querdenken“. Er betreute eine mittlerweile vom Netz genommene Seite unter dem Titel „Querdenkenforum“. In Rottenburg am Neckar meldete er im November 2020 eine Demonstration gegen die Corona-Maßnahmen an.
Auf Krauses Internetseite heißt es: „Wir knacken das System an seiner Sollbruchstelle.“ Der Anwalt veröffentlicht auch ein „Drehbuch“, das den Weg zu seinem Ziel skizziert. An dessen Ende steht demzufolge eine „Querdenkerfraktion im deutschen Bundestag“. Nächster Redner: Der vom Verfassungsschutz beobachtete Karl Hilz Walter Huber eröffnete seinen Vortrag mit den Worten: „Ich unterstütze die Idee der Direktkandidaten, das finde ich eine ganz tolle Idee.“ Ein weiterer Bezug vom öffentlichen Auftritt Hubers zur Querdenker-Bewegung: Direkt nach dem Tölzer Stadtwerke-Chef sprach dort Karl Hilz. Der pensionierte Polizist, der auch schon bei einer Corona-Demo in Bad Tölz auftrat, gilt als eines der bekanntesten Gesichter der Querdenker-Bewegung und wird vom Verfassungsschutz beobachtet. Generell spricht er davon, dass „dieser Staat totalitär“ geführt werde. Demokratisch gewählte Regierungen in Bund und Land nennt er „nicht legitim“. In München sollte Hilz laut Veranstaltungsankündigung zum Thema „Liegen derzeit die Voraussetzungen für die Ausübung des Widerstandsrechts im Sinne von Art. 20 Abs. 4 des Grundgesetzes vor?“ sprechen. Walter Huber vertraut auf „demokratische Einstellung“ des Veranstalters Krause äußert sich auf seiner Internetseite unter der Überschrift „Widerstand ziviler Ungehorsam“ in einem Text, der mit den Worten „Hallo, lieber Karl“ beginnt. Darin schreibt Krause: „Das, wozu Du – ,friedlich und ohne Waffen‘ – aufrufst, und wozu ich aufrufe, ist ziviler Ungehorsam, der sehr gerne von einer Widerstandsbewegung (zum Beispiel von unserem Bürgerbündnis für einen besseren Bundestag) getragen, initiiert und unterstützt werden kann. Beispiele für zivilen Ungehorsam: Falschparken, keine GEZ-Gebühren zahlen, keine Masken tragen, öffentlich auf Wahlplakate der großen Koalitionsparteien urinieren, in den sozialen Medien ,Shitstorms‘ gegen Regierungsmitglieder und ihre Lakaien an der ,Medienfront‘ und in der Justiz initiieren, ,Autokorsos‘ für Kreisverkehre anmelden etc. dürften Maßnahmen des zivilen Ungehorsams sein.“

via merkur: Auftritt des Tölzer Stadtwerke-Chefs bei Kundgebung: Unter Querdenkern?

Bosnian Far-Right Movement Weds Bosniak Nationalism, Neo-Nazism

BIRN lifts the lid on the Bosnian Movement of National Pride, a secretive organisation promoting neo-Nazi Bosniak nationalism.
Emir finally felt comfortable enough to place on the table the sheets of paper he had folded and hid under his jacket. The pages contained promotional material of a far-right organisation he had helped build. Emir, a slight man in his twenties, appeared confident that this reporter did not know his real name; when it became clear he was mistaken, he paused for a moment before describing his experience of joining the ‘Movement’ as a teenager. “I felt powerful in some way,” he said, having agreed to be interviewed on condition his real name would not be published. (…) Founded in 2009, the BPNP was described in 2018 report published by the International Relations Committee of the House of Lords – the upper house of the UK parliament – as a “nationalist and secular organisation whose ideology is underpinned by a belief in the superiority of Bosniaks and a belief that they alone should rule Bosnia and Herzegovina.” The Simon Wiesenthal Centre says it follows a ‘blood and soil’ ideology that aims for a pure Bosniak state based on ‘genetics’. “They are against multiculturalism because it is considered a threat to the survival of “true” Bosnians,” the centre says. “The BPNP stands against Zionism, Islamism, Communism and Capitalism. The movement is strongly homophobic, arguing that homosexuality is destroying society through its threat to ‘family values’.” At first glance, the group’s opposition to ‘Islamism’ might appear odd, given that the vast majority of Bosniaks identify as Muslims. But the group’s members say they characterise ‘Bosniak’ as a person loyal to Bosnia, who speaks the Bosnian language and identifies with the history of Bosnia, regardless of their religion. According to the group’s website, the BPNP “fights for Bosniaks irrespective of their religion and subrace.” More than anything else, it promotes National Socialism, better known as Nazism. (…) Dr. Bethan Johnson, doctoral fellow at the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right, CARR, a UK-based research centre, said it was interesting that the BPNP would openly embrace a term most groups of a similar ideology hesitate to use, “because it does have a stronger harkening back to Nazis than other terms that might be used to describe people.” The displaying of Nazi symbols is not banned in Bosnia, but BPNP member nevertheless seek to conceal their identities. BIRN journalists identified at least ten current or former members of the organisation, who describe themselves on social media as Skinheads and “members of the Handschar Division,” a reference to a World War Two Nazi SS division composed of mainly Bosniaks, some Croats and ethnic Germans that swore allegiance to Adolf Hitler and fought against Yugoslav communist Partisans.

via balkan insight: Bosnian Far-Right Movement Weds Bosniak Nationalism, Neo-Nazism

Disillusioned #MAGA rioter demands #Trump pay his legal fees: ‘This all happened because of you!’ – #capitolriot #terror

A man arrested this week for participating in the January 6th riots at the United States Capitol building demanded that former President Donald Trump pay his legal bills. As reported by Reuters legal affairs journalist Jan Wolfe, MAGA rioter Zvonimir Jurlina was arrested in Austin, Texas this week and charged with inciting violence against members of the media who were covering the rioting Trump supporters and with encouraging the theft of media equipment. In a video posted shortly after his court appearance Jurlina complained about being a “political prisoner” who was being persecuted for being a “patriot.” (…) He then turned his attention to Trump, the man who inspired him to participate in a violent riot at the Capitol. “I’d like to say to Donald Trump, please pay for my legal fees!” he said. “This all happened because of you, okay? I didn’t do nothing wrong.”

via rawstory: Disillusioned MAGA rioter demands Trump pay his legal fees: ‘This all happened because of you!’

CEP Webinar with Dr. Hany Farid: How algorithmic amplification pushes users towards divisive content on social media platforms

On Wednesday, June 30, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) hosted the first in a series of webinars with Dr. Hany Farid, senior advisor to CEP and professor at UC Berkeley. Dr. Farid was joined by German MEP Tiemo Wölken, the coordinator for the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) at the European Parliament, and Prabhat Agarwal, the head of the Digital Services and Platforms Unit for DG Connect at the European Commission. The webinar explored the nature and extent of the global phenomenon of misinformation as well as the role of algorithmic amplification in promoting misinformation and divisive content online and its devastating consequences. The webinar also examined a number of technological and regulatory interventions that could potentially curb misinformation, including the upcoming EU Digital Services Act. Dr. Hany Farid said: “Algorithmic amplification is the root cause of the unprecedented dissemination of hate speech, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and harmful content online. Platforms have learned that divisive content attracts the highest number of users and as such, the real power lies with these recommendation algorithms. Until thorough regulation is put in place, controversial content will continue to be promoted and amplified online.” Dr. Farid also highlighted that straightforward adjustments can be made to favor trustworthy sources over divisive and harmful content. In the days leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election, for example, Facebook changed its algorithm to promote authoritative news sources in an effort to reduce the spread of misinformation. However, Dr. Farid noted that because these changes also reduced user engagement, Facebook returned to the more divisive recommendation algorithm after the election. (…) To watch a recording of the webinar, please click here.

via counterextremism: CEP Webinar with Dr. Hany Farid: How algorithmic amplification pushes users towards divisive content on social media platforms

‘I Am Not a White Supremacist’: Active Members of Neo-Confederate Group Who Are Linked to Politics and the Military Say They Just Like History and Aren’t Racist

Currently-serving military members, elected officials, and a national security expert claiming to have Department of Defense security clearance are among the members of the neo-Confederate group Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), leaked data shows. The Guardian, which broke the news of the leak, says the membership data was provided to it by a “hacktivist” whose identity the outlet is shielding, and the information includes the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of almost 59,000 past and present members of the organization. The anonymous hacker said they noticed the website was misconfigured in a way that made membership lists, recruiting data and other information public. An activist with a Confederate flag gathers at the Gettysburg National Military Park on July 1, 2017 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Park Service issued protest permits for three groups, including Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Real 3% Risen, on the 154th anniversary of the battle. The data includes 91 individuals who listed addresses associated with government agencies as their contact email and 74 people who used addresses associated with different branches of the U.S. military.
According to The Guardian, active members of the group were included in those who listed addresses associated with government agencies and members of the military. Atlanta Antifa, previously reported on the data and said Georgia lawmakers were listed as current members of the group. SCV, a group for male bloodline descendants of Confederate veterans, is headquartered in Tennessee. According to the website, the organization is “strictly patriotic, historical, educational, fraternal, benevolent, non-political, non-racial and non-sectarian,” and “neither embraces, nor espouses acts or ideologies of racial and religious bigotry.” Members of the group have advocated to keep Confederate monuments from being taken down. Among the high-profile members of the group include Scott Wyatt, who from the 97th district in Virginia’s House of Delegates, which represents counties north of the former Confederate capitol of Richmond.

via atlantablackstar: ‘I Am Not a White Supremacist’: Active Members of Neo-Confederate Group Who Are Linked to Politics and the Military Say They Just Like History and Aren’t Racist

Ludwig Guttmann: Google celebrates Jewish doctor who fled Nazis and founded Paralympics

Ludwig Guttman was honored by the International Olympic Committee by being awarded the Sir Thomas Fearnley Cup for the social and human value derived from wheelchair sports. “Let’s not forget that the Paralympics, just like the Olympics, are built on a rich history,” comedian, journalist, and disability rights activist Stella Young once wrote. The founding father of the iconic sporting event which was first organized in 1948 on the day of the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games – is being honored by tech giant Google on July 3. It’s a celebration of the Jewish, German-born British neurologist Professor Sir Ludwig “Poppa” Guttmann, founder of the Paralympic movement. Guttmann was born 122 years ago on this day and a Google Doodle commemorated the day with a fitting tribute The illustration by Baltimore-based artist Ashanti Fortson sees Guttman at the fore in his signature spectacled look with a barely-there but endearing smile and wheelchair-bound archers, basketball players, and gymnasts in the back.

via meaww: Ludwig Guttmann: Google celebrates Jewish doctor who fled Nazis and founded Paralympics

screenshot google

Report finds extremist right-wing rhetoric in the US is going down a darker path

Because the right-wing media are so competitive, countless pundits are resorting to increasingly over-the-top rhetoric in the hope of juicing their ratings or traffic. The conservative pundits of the 1970s and 1980s — most famously, George Will and the late National Review founder William F. Buckley — were downright tranquil compared to the far-right extremism one finds on Newsmax TV or One America News on a daily basis. And journalist Adam Gabbatt, in an article published by The Guardian this week, reports that critics of this inflammatory rhetoric fear it will lead to violence at a time when political tensions are extremely high in the United States. According to Gabbatt, “The extremist rhetoric from right-wing news networks and some elected Republicans is ‘intensifying,’ experts have warned, after a Republican congressman compared Democrats to Nazis and a hard-right news host suggested tens of thousands of Americans should be executed. Right-wing TV personalities, including Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, and Republican politicians have seized every opportunity to rail against Democrats and liberals in recent months, with race increasingly coming to the fore.” Gabbatt notes that Fox News’ Tucker Carlson has said that Democrats want the U.S. to “become Rwanda,” and Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania compared Democrats to Nazis and said, “They are not the loyal opposition…. They want to destroy the country.”
Chris Matthews talks to Raw Story: Who would you bet on in 2024, Trump or Kamala? Gabbatt quotes Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters, as saying, “The rhetoric is both intensifying and it’s more widespread. It’s not like this is the first time right-wing media has had moments or flare-ups of intense or inflammatory rhetoric. But typically, it would have been limited to one show or personality. What happened, especially without (former President Donald) Trump having social platforms, is that it did create this pretty big vacuum.” Carusone continued, “What you’ve seen is jockeying to get as much of that audience share, but also, influence share. Everyone is kind of scrambling right now to grab as much as they can. That’s why they hit as many themes as they possibly can; you’re not just going to get more racial inflammatory rhetoric — there’s more conspiratorial stuff.”

https://www.rawstory.com/right-wing-extremism-2653647160/via rawstry: Report finds extremist right-wing rhetoric in the US is going down a darker path