Würzburg remembers the victims of the knife attack: vigils and rallies

Würzburg remembers the victims of the knife attack: vigils and rallies

In Würzburg, the victims of the terrible knife attack at Barbarossaplatz were remembered for the fourth time today, June 25, 2025. On June 25, 2021, a Somali attacker left three women dead and also seriously injured several people. This terrible act has left deep scars to this day, both on the survivors and on the victims' families. The city's mayor, Christian Schuchardt, along with ten city councilors, laid a wreath at the scene of the crime to commemorate the victims. Radio Gong reports that ...

As part of the commemorative events, there were several rallies by various organizations, including the Green Youth and the Seebrücke, whereas the AfD took part in its own rally. These polarized events attracted not only the attention of the media, but also that of the public. “Grandmas Against the Right” organized a silent vigil in the afternoon, which stood in stark contrast to the sometimes loud protests of the AfD. Bayerischer Rundfunk adds that...

The commemorations in detail

The rallies went smoothly, although the AfD demonstration attracted a counter-movement of around 350 people who loudly took a stand against the AfD's political views. The police were on site and ensured that both groups were separated from each other by road grids. There was a minor injury on the AfD side, but no major incident was reported. The clear emphasis was on the memorial event, which was also emphasized by the Green city councilor Konstantin Mack by pointing out that remembering the victims should be the focus. Radio Gong further reports that ...

A memorial to the victims of the knife attack has stood at Barbarossaplatz for two years, but many people often do not notice it in the hectic pace of everyday life. In light of these terrible events, it is particularly important that society comes together to give a face to the victims and provide space for living memories. The courageous efforts of Chia Rabiei, who stood up to the attacker, were particularly recognized.

The sad background

The attacker, who was diagnosed with paranoid-schizophrenic disorders, has been housed in a closed psychiatric facility since July 2022. A possible deportation to his home country is currently being examined by the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office. The circumstances of the crime also confirm alarming social trends that cannot be ignored. According to an analysis, right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic violence in Germany has experienced a worrying increase, with an increase of more than 15 percent in physical assault crimes in 2022. [The BRG association shows that...]

This development raises questions that go beyond commemoration. A structural failure to understand the motives behind these crimes means that many of those affected do not feel seen or heard. A joint remembrance is not only an honoring of the deceased, but also a call to confront the circumstances and the responsibility that we bear as a society.