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General => Articles => Topic started by: PippaJane on May 31, 2024, 12:38:12 PM
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13479975/Knifeman-stabs-multiple-people-including-police-officer-apprehended-YouTube-livestream-Germany.html
Knifeman stabs multiple people at anti-Islam rally including police officer before being apprehended during YouTube livestream in Germany
The shocking spree unfolded in the city of Mannheim at an anti-Islam rally
Knifeman launched an attack on an activist and bystanders who intervened
By David Averre
Published: 11:18, 31 May 2024 | Updated: 12:24, 31 May 2024
A knifeman stabbed several bystanders and a police officer at a political rally in Germany in a frenzied attack that was livestreamed on YouTube this morning. The shocking spree unfolded in the city of Mannheim where anti-Islamist campaigner Michael Stuerzenberger was speaking at an event of the Citizens' Movement Pax Europa (BPE) - a group that advocates against the 'Islamisation' of Europe. Chaos broke out at the event when a man dressed in a dark hooded jacket, green shirt and tracksuit bottoms tackled a victim believed to be Stuerzenberger to the ground and violently swung a large blade at him, prompting terrified screams from onlookers. Other BPE members sprinted over and tried to drag the knifeman away, but the would-be killer wriggled free and dove on top of the bloodied victim to plunge the weapon in for a second time. Police descended on the scene almost immediately but not before the attacker had left two people lying on the floor, blood pooling on the cobblestones. One officer waded in and tried to pull the knifeman back but failed to gain control of the blade, allowing the bloodthirsty attacker to plunge it into his torso. His colleagues were heard screaming 'throw the knife away!' but with the knifeman not responding to any orders the officers opened fire from near point blank range and sent him crashing to the ground.
The horrific attack was captured in its entirety by a cameraman who was lvestreaming the event on the BPE's YouTube page. The stream has since been taken down but it concluded with paramedics arriving on scene to administer vital first aid to at least three victims who had collapsed to the floor. Mannheim Police offered a brief statement online in the wake of the attack but gave no information on the condition of the attacker or his victims. 'There is currently a major police operation on the market square in Mannheim. A rescue helicopter is also in use. No further information can be given at this time,' the statement read.
It was evident well before the attack that Stuerzenberger, 59, was aware violence could break out. Speaking at the rally on livestream before he was set upon by his attacker, the activist was heard explaining how the event would 'de-escalate' if there was a prospect things could turn violent. 'We want to first see if we can manage a sensible discussion as always, of course we will de-escalate if it gets heated. 'There was a staunch Muslim there earlier who was pretty agitated and he shouted, ''you don't belong here you are worse than the AfD''. We still have democracy here, we have freedom we have our basic laws, our values and that is what we have to defend,' he said, referencing the professed desire of some hardline Islamic groups in Germany who have advocated for the introduction of Sharia law in their districts.
Islam and immigration have become contentious issues in Germany in recent months, particularly amid the rising popularity of right-wing political entities, primarily the 'Alternative for Germany' (AfD) party. Germany has been a major destination for refugees, especially since 2015 when Chancellor Angela Merkel who famously declared in 2017 that Islam was 'not the source of terrorism' opened the country's borders to over a million asylum seekers. The move was highly divisive, praised by many liberal commentators as a morally just, humanitarian policy but slammed as dangerous and short-sighted by more conservative mouthpieces. But the influx of migrants and a rise in the number of incidents involving refugees, along with various protests and marches, have triggered renewed debate. The AfD has capitalised on these concerns and made anti-Islam and anti-immigration messages the cornerstone of its campaigns. In 2017, the party's founder, Alexander Gauland, explicitly vowed to fight an 'invasion of foreigners' and was lambasted by more centrist and leftist commentators. But the party's popularity has grown rapidly the AfD enjoyed significant success in Germany's state elections in October, winning its biggest-ever share of votes in the powerful state of Hesse and gaining a significant portion of votes in Bavaria. In the meantime, various campaigners and advocacy groups have sprung up highlighting the perceived threats from Islam, framing immigration from Muslim countries as incompatible with German culture and values. These tensions have led to widespread demonstrations by protesters on both sides some of which occasionally erupted into violence.
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It's getting worse for attacks on people.