Saarlouis is reminiscent of Samuel Yeboah: Memorial plaque unveiled!
Saarlouis is reminiscent of Samuel Yeboah: Memorial plaque unveiled!
On June 27, 2025, a plaque for Samuel Yeboah was unveiled in Saarlouis, a refugee from Ghana who died 30 years ago in a presumably right -wing fire attack. The table was handed over by Action 3. Welt Saar and from then on is attached to the foyer of the town hall. As a memory of this tragic event, numerous citizens came together to commemorate the victims of xenophobia and violence. In recent years, a complete clarification of the events has been requested, especially after the investigation was resumed due to new knowledge almost five years ago. Tagesschau.de reports that the plaque was already manufactured in 2001, but was only briefly exhibited at the town hall and was then removed. A sign of memory is now also the information board, which was set up next to the former asylum seeker home in 2021 and informs about the background of the attack.
The commemoration, which took place as part of this special occasion, was organized by the city administration, the Evangelical parish and the Catholic parish community. In moving words, the city's deputy, Günter Melchior, recalled the racist incidents in Saarlouis and the time. Before September 19, 1991, the date of the attack, there were already five attacks on asylum accommodation in the city. Melchior warned to keep the memory of this incident awake so as not to forget the dangers of right -wing extremism that are still manifested in Germany today. Saarbruecker-zeitung.de were explained that the scope and brutality of the act was injured.
a call for tolerance
Pastor Volker Hassenpflug spoke about the fears and hopes of those affected at the time. He and Deacon Arnulf Schmitz led the ecumenical service, which gave the opportunity to pause and think. In doing so, they asked fundamental questions about the willingness of society to deal with racism and its consequences. Among the guests were also four refugees who came to Germany in recent years and shared their unpleasant experiences. Ahmad Sino, one of them, expressed hope that his children in Germany will be accepted, while Amal Haj Othman emphasized the desire for security and participation in society.Samuel Yeboah's tragic story is not only a personal loss, but also reflects the social challenge of defending itself against racism and xenophobia. Together with the plaque, this should be a sign of tolerance and against the violence of right -wing extremism. The increase in right-wing extremist crimes in Germany, which, according to [bpb.de] (https://www.bpb.de/themen/rechtsextremism/dossier-rechtsextremism/324634/rechtsextreme-chwalt-in- Deutschland/), has increased in the last decade: more than 23,000 right-wing extremists were recorded in 2020, including 2020 also numerous acts of violence. In times when the discrepancy between social acceptance and exclusion seems greater than ever, it is more important than ever to stand together.
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| Ort | Saarlouis, Deutschland |
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