Because of the flyer “against Nazis”
Edeka dealer reports massive threats
February 3, 2024, 11:10 p.m
The owner of 20 Edeka branches in Saxony and Thuringia is withdrawing an advertising flyer “against Nazis”. He explains that he hurt feelings by doing so. However, he does not hide the fact that he was insulted and threatened for his action.
His withdrawal caused astonishment: Edeka dealer Peter Simmel had placed the slogan “For democracy – against Nazis” on advertising brochures. Then the owner of 20 branches in Saxony and Thuringia suddenly distanced himself from his own campaign. He explained his change of heart on Facebook: He was sorry “that my term ‘Nazis’ appealed to people who do not agree with our current government.”
(Photo: Screenshot Edeka)
According to information from “Spiegel”, Simmel made his decision after massive right-wing extremist hostility. After the democracy campaign, there were a number of threats and insults against him and his team, he tells the magazine. He quotes some reactions: “When we are in power, we will not forget you”; “Don’t buy from Simmel”; “A Yellow Star”; “Dirty Socialist”; “Have a good time, you parasites.”
The dealer emphasized that he still stands by his statement “For democracy – against Nazis”. However, he sees “Nazis” as “serious criminals” of the Hitler regime and people who “wish for a dictatorship like under Hitler’s times.” Already had before Simmel explains, the slogan also appealed to people who simply disagreed with the government. “That’s why you’re not a Nazi,” he continued.
Understanding for critics
According to the report, Simmel wants to stick to the decision to apologize for the campaign. He also expressed understanding for some of his critics. He has “learned that many people in our country feel left behind by politics, harassed and unappreciated,” he writes according to “Spiegel,” “and therefore no longer notice or value democracy.”
The trader formulated what he understands as criticism of the government: “People stink that we have too many rules and bureaucracy forced on us, that our state apparatus is constantly growing, but that services are becoming fewer and costs are rising, that we have too much immigration of people who… not participate in the success of our country,” the magazine quoted the Edeka retailer as saying.