The association of Munich’s Wiesn hosts welcomed the social-media-driven initiative “Waitstaff Against the Right.” The Munich Wiesn-Host Association endorsed the waitstaff’s action and rejected any form of racism or sexism inside the festival tents, as spokespersons Peter Inselkammer and Christian Schottenhamel stated when asked by the press. “We do not tolerate such violations in our Wiesn tents and we report them to the authorities,” the statement continued.
Moreover, the association said it did not wish to comment politically. “Even the operating rules for the Oktoberfest indicate that political events are not allowed in the tents,” they explained their restraint.
Waitstaff Against the Right Promote Diversity
Earlier, “Waitstaff Against the Right” posted a roughly four-minute video on social media to mark the start of Oktoberfest. In the clip, also shared on Instagram, numerous Wiesn waitstaff speak out in favor of diversity, tolerance, and respect at the world’s largest folk festival.
“We believe the Wiesn is political and we must take a stand,” the group told the press. “The Wiesn is of course about tradition, but we are demanding that it also stand for greater tolerance.”
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“The entire Wiesn should take a position,” they wish, and that means standing against extremist ideologies, contempt for human beings, racism, discrimination, and exclusion. “And that we all simply unite for a common cause.” In light of, for instance, the Sachsen-Anhalt election — where the AfD won the state parliament — the initiative argues that it’s no longer enough to say nothing and to stay out of politics.
Remembrance of the Attack
One participant in the video adds: “And for years we have seen things become more talkable again. And how right-wing views suddenly face less resistance.” That is what they aim to counter.
In the video, the waitstaff also remind viewers of the victims of the right-wing attack at Oktoberfest and call for accountability. On the evening of September 26, 1980, a bomb planted by a right-wing extremist exploded at the festival’s main entrance. Twelve people died, about 200 were injured. The attacker also died.
At the end of the video, the Wiesn waitstaff close their appeal with the words: “We want to oppose. We want to show stance. We are doing so.” They state they stand together against racism, sexism, hostility toward people and toward LGBTQ individuals, and against violence. According to the initiative, more than 200 people have already joined.
