At the beginning of this year, on January 27, 2024, we made a strong statement together in Erftstadt: well over 1,000 people came together to show that our city is built on unity, respect, and democratic values. You surely remember that great day. Together, we made it clear that hatred, division, and discrimination have no place here. This day showed how much we can achieve when we stand up for our beliefs. The feedback from the participants and the press was unequivocal.
Since then, many have asked how we can use this momentum to strengthen democracy and social cohesion in the long term. This has led to a central initiative: the Erftstadt Charter – a voluntary commitment to respect, diversity, and democracy that enshrines our shared values. We are currently planning the signing of the Erftstadt Charter as part of a ceremonial event on January 27, 2025, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as well as the anniversary of our demonstration. This day offers the opportunity to make our collective commitment visible and reaffirm our democratic cohesion.
We warmly invite all democratic parties and factions to actively participate in the content and formulation of the charter within a joint working group. We also invite all institutions and interested private individuals to join this responsibility and register as supporters. At this point, some parties and factions have already pledged their support.
It is not about individuals or individual parties, but about us as a community. Only together can we ensure that our democracy is up to future challenges. Let us continue on this path together and show that Erftstadt stands for strong solidarity.
We are always available for feedback or information regarding the charter.
The full text of the charter can be found at https://erftstaedter-charta.de.
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