Defending the protesters, Maria Lara Moubarak, youth political spokesperson for the Left Party’s federal executive board, strongly criticized the Hessian Interior Minister’s threats to ban future youth demonstrations. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, Moubarak argued that limiting protests only because there might be trouble elsewhere after the demonstration is unacceptable, stating, “Where would we end up if Interior Ministers could simply ban unpopular demonstrations because someone might riot outside?”
The Left Party politician described attempts to ban undesirable demonstrations based solely on the fear of potential side violence as an “interference in democratic fundamental rights.” Moubarak emphasized that the renewed bravery of young people to defy authority is a positive development. Instead of asking how to prevent protests, she argued the focus must be on finding ways to ensure democratic protests can happen safely. She asserted that societal progress is never achieved simply by accepting the status quo, but rather through resistance.
Moubarak leveled serious accusations against the federal government, claiming that the real criminals are not the students who took to the streets seeking better education, but the politicians in power whose decisions are threatening people’s livelihoods. Therefore, she and her supporters will not be intimidated. They pledged to take to the streets on November 20th, alongside a school strike against compulsory military service, trade unions, and numerous other organizations across Europe. “We will not allow our democratic right to protest to be taken away,” she concluded.
