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The hiking group visited Saxon Switzerland for the second time at the beginning of November, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in Saxony (D). About 55 people registered for the four-day trip with the club, founded in 2016.
After the first day of walking, the group returned to the youth hostel. But the road was blocked – by a police car.
“I suspect someone called the police and said, ‘Oh, we saw a lot of people walking who looked like refugees or migrants,’” organizer Ayham Tahan told the Guardian.
Anonymous tip received by police
An anonymous tip reportedly identified the hikers as suspected illegal immigrants likely smuggled across the nearby Czech border. This is reported by ‘Focus’.
The police asked Tahan to answer some questions. He explained to the officers where they were going. He also made it clear that all members of the association were in the country legally and that most of them were German citizens.
Then the organizer, who has lived in Germany for nine years, explained that they would also spend the next few days in the region. “We wish you a nice time,” the police officers then said and left again.
But the leader of the group is surprised: “It’s strange that people send the police on us while we are doing the most typically German thing, which is walking in the forest.”
Accusation of racism
Nevertheless, Tahan is aware that the officers were only doing their job. “They were very nice,” he told the Guardian. But news that someone had called the police angered the group.
“Many of our participants were very angry. Some were really offended and said, ‘That’s racist,’” Tahan says. “Others said it was typically German. They saw a lot of people and didn’t feel comfortable with the language being spoken, so they called the police.”
Although the incident shocked the group, the organizer insisted weeks later that no one would be deterred from walking. New tours are already planned for next year.
“The problem lies with the person who called,” says Tahan. “But there are people like that in every society, in every community.” However, he believes it is important to draw attention to such incidents – so that they will hopefully not occur again in the future. (gs)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
