German Town Pranks Neo-Nazis By Turning Their March Into Charity Walkathon

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https://news.vice.com/article/german-town-pranks-neo-nazis-by-turning-their-march-into-charity-walkathon?utm_source=vicenewstwitter

Every year, neo-Nazi groups descend on a small German town to pay tribute to a notorious Hitler deputy who used to be buried there.

This year, however, the townspeople pulled one over on their visitors: They turned the march into a charity walkathon that raised 10,000 euros ($12,533) for an anti-extremist foundation.

Nazi official Rudolf Hess committed suicide in prison in 1987 and was eventually buried in Wunsiedel, a town of about 1,000 in Bavaria.

For more than 20 years, fascist groups have held an annual festival and memorial march in the town in his honor despite disapproval.

On Saturday, unbeknownst to them, a group of local activists recruited businesses and people in the town to donate 10 euros ($12.50) for every meter walked by the neo-Nazis.

A video made by the activist organization Rechts gegen Rechts, or Right Against Right, shows the procession of neo-Nazi participants dressed mostly in black walking through the streets. Some have drums strapped on their chests, while others carry torches and banners.



Rechts gegen Rechts, which fights against far-right politics, called the event the "most involuntary walkathon," and put up mocking signs — one said "If only the Führer knew" — along the route.

The neo-Nazis weren't informed about their charitable giving until they crossed the finish line, where they were greeted with a sign thanking them for their donations.

Adding further insult to injury, the proceeds were donated to EXIT Deutschland, an organization that assists people who want to leave extremist groups. They were marching against themselves.