Outrage in Germany after video shows revelers ‘performing Nazi salutes while listening to songs related to the Third Reich’ at Oktoberfest event
- Video reportedly shows three men and a woman giving the Nazi salute
German partygoers have sparked a fury after a video allegedly shows them giving the Nazi salute while listening to a song linked to the Third Reich at an Oktoberfest event.
The video reportedly shows three men and a woman dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes, repeatedly raising their arms in a Nazi salute while singing along to the song “Erika” by composer Herms Niel.
The tune is a song by a German brass band, released in 1938 and associated with the Wehrmacht, the armed forces of the Third Reich.
One man is accused of giving the Nazi salute, which is a crime in Germany, as many as 14 times in 16 seconds, while the woman raises her arm seven times.
The video was filmed Saturday evening by a shocked onlooker during an Oktoberfest event in the small town of Zieschützen near Dresden, Germany.
German partygoers have sparked fury after a video allegedly shows them giving the Nazi salute while listening to a song linked to the Third Reich at an Oktoberfest event
Police are now investigating the incident, with a spokesperson telling local media: ‘We are investigating initial suspicions that unconstitutional symbols were used. State security is also participating in the investigation.’
One of the event organizers, Matthias Braune, also distanced himself from the actions of the partygoers.
He told Image: ‘We clearly distance ourselves from these types of visitors. We just want to celebrate a normal Oktoberfest.’ He added that the song “Erika,” which is not banned, will not be played at future events.
Under German law, giving the Nazi salute or using Nazi-related symbols is considered “unconstitutional” and offenders can be sent behind bars for up to three years.
Video reportedly shows three men and a woman dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes, repeatedly raising their arms in a Nazi salute as they sing along to the song ‘Erika’ by composer Herms Niel
A local resident said of the video: “It is not too late to resume the Nuremberg trials with harsher punishments.”
Another said: ‘This gives the same energy as South Americans who still wave confederate flags because of their heritage and nothing else.’
Someone else wrote: ‘To be honest, quite a few Germans would be outraged too!’
Another replied: ‘Herms Niel wrote Erika in 1938. Niel was definitely a Nazi through and through. The song Erika was incredibly popular with both the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. Whether you like it or not, it is a song by a Nazi for Nazis.”