The school community responded swiftly and decisively, underscoring its commitment to democracy and inclusion.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 14, when members of the Identitarian Movement—a group classified as right-wing extremist by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency—unfurled a banner in plain view of the school and used pyrotechnics to draw attention. Students from an eighth-grade class noticed the scene and immediately notified school staff. Headmaster Dominik Blanz promptly contacted the police, who later confirmed that the individuals fled into nearby Luitpold Park. The local police department has launched an investigation for potential violations of assembly and explosives regulations.
Students Capture Incident on Video and Condemn Hate Speech
“Thankfully, some students recorded the incident from their classroom,” said Blanz. One clip captured a student yelling “Get lost!” at the intruders. “This reaction from our students is a clear stance—this is democracy in action,” he added.
Coordinated Distribution of Extremist Flyers at Schools
This was not the group’s first attempt to infiltrate the school. Just a week earlier, flyers from the Identitarian Movement had appeared at multiple schools nationwide, including Willi-Graf-Gymnasium. A physical education teacher discovered one of the pamphlets in the gymnasium, indicating that activists had entered the premises. Students also reported finding the flyers, which were promptly discarded.
Titled “Teachers hate these questions,” the materials included xenophobic rhetoric and called on readers to align themselves with the far-right group.
School Responds with Education and Legal Action
In response, Blanz alerted parents and urged them to discuss the material with their children. Teachers were also encouraged to critically examine the pamphlets during lessons. The school contacted a local democracy support agency and filed a police report for trespassing. “It was immediately clear to me that this couldn’t go unanswered—whether it leads to prosecution or not, the message matters,” said Blanz.
Promoting Resilience Through History and Values
The school is named after Willi Graf, a member of the anti-Nazi resistance group the White Rose. “From their first year, our students learn about his life. When they graduate, each receives a white rose, and his bust is honored at every graduation ceremony,” said Blanz. “He’s a constant presence here. I often say: he is our most valuable teacher.”
Born in 1918, Willi Graf joined the White Rose while serving as a medic during World War II. Alongside Hans and Sophie Scholl, he distributed pamphlets denouncing the Nazi regime before being executed in 1943 for treason.
School Community Unites Against Extremism
Blanz believes the attack has only strengthened the school’s unity. “This won’t intimidate us—it brings us closer together,” he stated, though he remains aware of potential escalation. “We need to stay alert.”
Political Leaders Voice Support for the School
Bavarian Education Minister Anna Stolz (Free Voters) condemned the incidents, stating, “Extremist propaganda has no place in our schools. We must safeguard our democracy and empower our children to recognize and resist hate and disinformation.”
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) also praised the students and faculty for their courage, applauding their “exemplary civil courage” in standing up to far-right agitation.
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