Simon Cox reports from Austria where authorities are cracking down on Generation Identity, a far-right youth group. Martin Sellner, the leader, is appealing a not guilty verdict. The group is anti-Muslim and anti-immigration but claims not to be racist. Learn about their controversial stunts and legal battles in a pan-European movement against refugees.
Generation Identity uses provocative tactics to challenge migrant integration.
Legal complexities arise in prosecuting Generation Identity for potential criminal activities.
Deep dives
Challenges Faced by Performers
Refugee performers in Vienna face a unique play disruption by far-right activists from Generation Identity, stirring fear among the actors. The protesters' provocative actions, like using fake blood, continue to escalate tensions and evoke traumatic memories for refugees, highlighting the struggle for integration and safety amidst such confrontations.
Generation Identity's Strategies and International Connections
Generation Identity employs aggressive tactics and confrontational stunts across Europe, aiming to halt migrant rescue missions at sea and spread anti-immigrant narratives. Led by figures like Martin Selner, the movement attracts support from far-right groups and individuals like former Ku Klux Klan members, positioning itself as a nationalist organization against multiculturalism.
Legal Battles and Social Impact
Austria's legal system grapples with prosecuting Generation Identity, labeling them as a potential criminal organization, with ongoing court cases raising questions about free speech versus incitement. The movement's activities and rhetoric have sparked controversies, igniting societal tensions, particularly regarding their negative portrayal of refugees and Islam, leading to divisive perceptions and potential threats to social cohesion.
Simon Cox is in Austria where the authorities have launched an unprecedented operation against a new far right youth organisation, Generation Identity. They prosecuted members of the group including its leader, Martin Sellner, for being an alleged criminal organisation. They are currently appealing the judge's not guilty verdict. The Austrian group is at the heart of a new pan European movement that is vehemently opposed to Muslims and immigration. GI says it is not racist or violent. In Germany more than 100 offences have been committed by its members in just over a year. And the group's co leader in Britain stepped down after he was revealed to have a Neo Nazi past.
Reporter: Simon Cox
Producer: Anna Meisel
Image: Martin Sellner demonstrating at Kahlenberg Vienna
Credit: David Speier/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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