Confrontation during community meeting in Steckborn TG: Citizens plan an uprising against the federal emergency asylum center

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In Steckborn TG, a civil protection facility causes heated discussions. The facility has been used as an emergency shelter for refugees for two years. Only: The location of the living space in the middle of a residential area has long led to conflicts between residents and the authorities, as Blick already reported.

Now a showdown will take place next Thursday during an extraordinary community meeting, as the “SonntagsZeitung” reports. Nothing less than the future of the asylum center must be decided. A novelty in Switzerland.

Background: Residents who have united in an interest group (IG) have been complaining about noise, nuisance, crime and dirt for a long time. Surveillance camera images intended to record the alleged abuses have been published on a website. However, the site was closed after a hacker attack.

Community divided

The IG has also collected signatures to terminate the lease agreement with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), which operates the accommodation. In just under two weeks, 131 signatures were collected from Steckborn residents who were eligible to vote.

On the other hand: citizens of the 4,000-member community who show solidarity with the refugees and consider the IG’s representations as exaggerated and sometimes even inflammatory.

According to “SonntagsZeitung”, both the authorities and all political parties support the continued existence of the asylum center. And even the SVP, which usually fights against refugee housing, did not side with the IG and decided to allow votes.

The conflict divides the community. Both sides accuse each other of lying and refuse to talk. Because: The dispute not only affects asylum seekers, but also economic interests. The community receives strong financial support from the federal government thanks to the shelter accommodation; local companies also benefit.

Record turnout expected at neighborhood meeting

According to “SonntagsZeitung”, the IG has submitted a request for the community meeting to vote anonymously on asylum accommodation. “That would be appropriate for this sensitive issue,” said an IG member.

In Steckborn, however, there are no predictions about how the story will end at the community meeting. All that is clear is that authorities expect a heated community meeting with record participation. (oco)

Source:Blick