OVG decision: Martin Sellner may not speak in the town hall

The city of Chemnitz does not have to provide the city council faction Pro Chemnitz/Freie Sachsen with town hall rooms for a public meeting with the Austrian right-wing extremist Martin Sellner. This was decided by the Saxon Higher Administrative Court (OVG). The Free Saxons had invited the leader of the "Identitarian Movement", Martin Sellner, to their city parliamentary group meeting. He was due to give a speech on the topic of "remigration".

The city had revoked a room booking that had already been confirmed after it became known that Sellner was to take part in the event. The parliamentary group's urgent appeal against this decision was rejected by both the Chemnitz Administrative Court and now the Higher Administrative Court.

No racist content in the town hall

The courts justified their decisions by stating that the topic of "remigration" did not fall within the remit of Chemnitz city council. In addition, it was to be expected that extremist and racist content would be disseminated - a clear violation of the regulations governing the use of municipal premises. The decision of the Higher Administrative Court is final.

According to the city administration, the Free Saxons have registered a protest with 50 people behind the town hall at 5 pm. At the same time, the action alliance "Chemnitz verbindet" is organizing a counter-protest with 500 people. A human chain is to be formed around the town hall.