19 July 2006
The former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is to lead a group that fights xenophobia and anti-Semitism. He is to head a national imitative called 'Gesicht Zeigen!' (Show Your Face!), which acts against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. Gesicht Zeigen! Was founded in 2000 by Schröder's former spokesman Uwe-Karsten Heye iIn response to a series of violent crimes by right-wing extremists in the 1990s. He was aided in the endeavor by Paul Spiegel, former president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, who died in April 2006.
Heye said Schröder had always made sure that programs to battle right-wing extremism were well-funded by the government. "I think that demonstrates that the society, and its political representatives, have a clear picture of where tolerance for intolerance should end," said Heye. Heye caused controversy before the recent Soccer World Cup by saying there were certain areas in Germany "where people with darker skin - African-Germans and African-Europeans - shouldn't go".
