The attempt to intimidate Achmühler failed: When strangers wrote a threatening letter about a rainbow flag, the town demonstrated solidarity.
Eurasburg – For drivers it is just a small flag. Many people who drive on the state road through the Eurasburg district of Achmühle probably miss it. Those in the know know the greater meaning of the rainbow flag, which hangs from a window in the community center on the first floor. They know what it says: “Achmühle against the right”. There is also a flag hanging at the back of the house. And the rainbow also shines in almost 40 private gardens. “We stick together,” is what Ralf Reichenberg explains as he sits in the community center on a Wednesday morning. “We are a community, I want to show that.” And with this, the people of Achmühle are standing up against threats from unknown people. The rainbows on trees, roofs and balconies have a serious background.
A village gathers under the rainbow: Threats against “do-gooders” backfire
A few weeks ago there was only a single rainbow in Achmühle. A family had hung him. Afterwards she received threats. Vandals tore down the flag and took it with them. The perpetrators left a letter in the mailbox, addressed to “Gutmensch” – the content of the letter: bad. The author fantasizes about raping the “do-gooder’s” daughter, about his son being kicked to death and his head being severed from his torso. “Then you have to say to yourself very firmly: I am tolerant, I am open, I am colorful, I am not a Nazi, I am good.”
“We were completely shocked”: threatening letter from unknown people brings the village community together
The village found out about the letter. “We were completely shocked,” said a resident who did not want to be named. "This letter. That doesn't suit Achmühle at all. We didn’t want to accept that.” So a citizen started an initiative. He collected orders in a WhatsApp chat in which many neighbors joined together. He had rainbow flags printed with the slogan “Achmühle against the right”.
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There were around 40 pieces in the first attempt, says Ralf Reichenberg. In the village of 700 people with just over 200 households, “a pretty good number, I think – and I know that some have still ordered more.”
Some people ask “whether the rainbow flag is really necessary” - Ur-Achmühler thinks: Yes.
Reichenberg has known the district for decades. The pensioner and local councilor has been looking after the community center for several years. It's the center of the neighborhood, if you will. Several people sit together for breakfast on Sundays. “The question sometimes arises as to whether the rainbow flag is really needed now,” says Reichenberg. He thinks: Yes, it's necessary. As a signal. “It's about cohesion. I find the symbol very appropriate.”
A village celebrates solidarity: the rainbow hangs in many private gardens
Some also clearly spoke out against it. “I had a few conversations like that on the phone.” When someone rails against the rainbow flags, Reichenberg asks what the problem is. “I usually don’t get an answer.” Reichenberg knows that not everyone who doesn’t like the symbol is a right-winger. “But I also know that there are people like that everywhere. Certainly here in Achmühle too.” Reichenberg himself places himself somewhere in the political center. “I’m not right-wing, but I wouldn’t say left-wing either.”
It is important to him that the village does not allow itself to be divided. That's why he organizes so many activities in the community center. And that's why he's so happy that many young families took part in the rainbow flag display. "I think that's great. It’s always said that they’re no longer interested in anything – I don’t think that’s true.”
After threats, some residents are afraid - “But you have to take a stand”
Since the rainbows have been hanging in so many private gardens, hardly anything has happened. But the signal didn't go completely smoothly. “They tore down a neighbor’s flag a few days ago,” says the resident, who wishes to remain anonymous. He's not afraid. “You have to take a stand.” He does have a bad feeling sometimes. But setting an example is more important to him.