The latest novels, photo books, travel literature, and health guides—the selection at Munich’s Lehmkuhl bookstore is diverse. However, what employees discovered on display a few weeks ago was not part of the store’s recommendations. In the political books section, they found leaflets that someone had apparently left there secretly.
The front of the leaflet featured the cover of the book “Remigration.” The author is the well-known Austrian far-right extremist Martin Sellner. On the back was an advertisement with the headline “The Forbidden Book,” alongside emojis, a red alarm signal, and a smiley with a zipped mouth.
“This book cannot be sold on Amazon. Booksellers are avoiding it like the plague,” the leaflet text stated. It also claimed, “Because this book breaks a taboo. It says what millions are thinking—but aren’t allowed to say.” At the very bottom were two QR codes, one supposedly linking to the book and the other leading to the “Identitarian Movement” website.
Also in the School Textbook Section
The A6/5-sized leaflets were visibly placed on the shelves. Some were individually hidden between the pages of books. The unknown individuals also left the leaflets one floor up in the school textbook section. In the end, managing director Michael Lemling collected about 50 to 60 copies. No suspicious persons were noticed. “It must have happened around lunchtime,” is all Michael Lemling can reconstruct.
Lemling can only speculate as to why his bookstore in particular was chosen for this action. He emphasizes that while he could order works from the far-right corner from relevant publishers if customers requested them, he does not wish to advertise them openly.
The traditional Schwabing bookstore, with almost 125 years of history, is otherwise known for its well-stocked selection of high-quality literature. “Thomas Mann and Erich Kästner were once customers here,” says Lemling. Readings and events take place all year round, including an evening with the winners of this year’s Geschwister-Scholl Prize on November 26th.
Incident Occurred in September
The leaflet incident actually occurred on September 9th. The bookstore did not file a police report. “To avoid giving the whole thing more importance,” says Lemling, adding, “It’s a pity I didn’t catch them.”
However, the incident is reminiscent of a whole series of other actions by the “Identitarian Movement,” which has become more active in Munich recently. Most recently, the group tried to unfurl a banner on the Bavaria hill during the Oktoberfest but was stopped. In May of this year, members—as previously in April—appeared at Munich schools, set off firecrackers, displayed a banner, and distributed leaflets. The message was essentially “Your teachers hate Germany,” coupled with a call for students to fight back. The individuals involved managed to escape.
No Results from Investigations So Far
The schools filed criminal complaints. Since then, the Munich criminal police have been investigating violations of assembly and explosives laws, as well as trespassing, and are examining possible connections to similar cases. When asked almost half a year after the school actions, the Munich public prosecutor’s office stated that there were “no updates so far” in the matter—including on whether criminal proceedings are expected and, if so, when.
The circle of suspects is likely quite small. According to the assessment of the Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the first school action in April involved members of the so-called “Lederhosenrevolte” (Lederhosen Revolt), a small group in Munich associated with the “Identitarian Movement.”
The Munich Professional Information Center on Right-Wing Extremism (Firm) suspects that the same actors were behind the second school action in May, as a spokesperson stated. It is “very unsatisfactory” that the investigations have not yet yielded any results, the Firm spokesperson continued. She speculates that the list of organized actions is getting longer, and those involved apparently feel no pressure of legal repercussions.
“Identitarian Movement” Behind Over 40 Actions
Firm recently published a new brochure on the “Identitarian Movement” (IB). After the COVID-19 pandemic, the movement has regained strength. Especially in Munich, where several central actors of the group live, activities under the name “Lederhosenrevolte” have recently been expanded. This assessment is supported by the city’s Office for Democracy. They have counted over 40 actions involving Munich IB members in the last two years alone.
The Munich department responsible for schools pointed to offers made after the leaflet incidents to “process the methods and polemics of the far-right group in an age-appropriate manner.” Otherwise, they could not add anything to the public prosecutor’s investigation. The Bavarian Ministry of Education also did not want to provide “any further details” on the ongoing investigations.
Networking with the Far-Right Danubia Fraternity
The Professional Information Center on Right-Wing Extremism further explains that the Munich group of “Identitarians” is closely intertwined with other circles of the extreme right. A “significant location” for networking is the Danubia fraternity in Munich. This student fraternity has long been classified as far-right extremist by authorities and is monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Students within the fraternity are said to have repeatedly participated in actions by the “Identitarians.” Apparently, the fraternity house also serves as a retreat for members of the Munich “Identitarians.”
The Danubia building is located on Potsdamer Straße in Schwabing, not far from the Lehmkuhl bookstore on Leopoldstraße. The streets there are unlikely to be quiet this weekend. From Friday evening until Sunday, October 26th, the so-called “Schwabing Talks” are scheduled to take place again in the Danubia house—a networking and lecture event with speakers from the far right. Antifa groups have already called for counter-protests.
Source: T-Online
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