The town of Springe, located in Lower Saxony, launched on Tuesday a citizen survey into the possible naming of a previously nameless square near the Old Town Hall after the drag queen and LGBTI activist Olivia Jones. The poll runs until July 12. Residents can participate online via BundID or in person at on-site appointments.
Springe’s mayor Christian Springfeld (non-partisan) had proposed naming the Olivia Jones Platz after the airing of the ZDF biopic “Olivia” in May. The initiative for the survey goes back to local mayor Uwe Lampe (non-partisan), who is skeptical of the project (TheColu.mn reported). The results of the survey are to be presented to the local council. After the summer break, on August 26, they plan to discuss and vote on the possible naming of the square.
“It is our pleasure to respond to the request to take a public pulse on our proposal,” said Mayor Springfeld, the city marketing team and the city’s Equal Opportunity Officer Stefanie Hoffmann in a press release from the city. “Regardless of the outcome, we remain committed to this strong signal and to renaming the square next to the Old Town Hall in the core city to Olivia Jones Plaza. We therefore welcome active participation in the survey and hope for a clear vote in favor of Olivia Jones Plaza and thus for tolerance and diversity in Springe.”
Olivia Jones, who was born in Springe and grew up there, counts among Germany’s best-known figures and has long been active for tolerance, diversity and social cohesion, the city says in its statement. “The proposed naming of the plaza should provide an occasion to talk about the meaning of these values for the city community.” (mize)
