Last Saturday a figure wearing a burka and carrying a plastic bag stood on Munich's Marienplatz doing nothing, not even reacting to remarks or questions from those passing by. A man, judging by his height, just standing there, holding a bag with some purchases, dressed in black and shrouded in an article of clothing generally associated with ultra-Moslems. A crowd soon gathered around him, people began yelling at him, berating him – no reaction. Was this man a loony, a terrorist, a joker? The crowd increased, surrounding the man. Finally, someone called over two policemen on the beat before things got out of hand.
Translated from the Süddeutsche: Aufregung am Marienplatz mit Burka und Plastiktüte...
The young man then took off the burka and spoke to the policemen, identifying himself as an extreme leftist who “wanted to test the people’s reactions”. His friends were standing aside and watching his action performance. The police checked his credentials and reminded him that a performance by one person does not need a permit but with several people actively participating approval must be obtained beforehand. They also recommended not putting the burka back on.
End of performance. So why the hell did everyone get so upset?
P.S. “Because they’re German” doesn’t count as a serious answer.
Translated from the Süddeutsche: Aufregung am Marienplatz mit Burka und Plastiktüte...
The young man then took off the burka and spoke to the policemen, identifying himself as an extreme leftist who “wanted to test the people’s reactions”. His friends were standing aside and watching his action performance. The police checked his credentials and reminded him that a performance by one person does not need a permit but with several people actively participating approval must be obtained beforehand. They also recommended not putting the burka back on.
End of performance. So why the hell did everyone get so upset?
P.S. “Because they’re German” doesn’t count as a serious answer.
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