German Green Youth Chief Jette Nietzard Regrets Social Media Post
In a recent podcast interview with the German magazine “Stern”, Jette Nietzard, the leader of the German Green Youth, expressed regret over a social media post that drew widespread criticism. The post in question featured a sweater with the acronym “ACAB” (“all cops are bastards”), which sparked outrage and led to the Green Youth’s parliamentary faction publicly distancing themselves from her.
Nietzard clarified that the post was a personal statement, not an official message from the Green Youth and that she had not intended to incite a debate. She acknowledged that her post had attracted attention, but believed that it was not the most effective way to raise awareness about the issues she was trying to address.
Despite the backlash, Nietzard maintained her strong criticism of the police, stating that she does not hate the police as an institution, but rather the system behind it and the way it has been constructed. She emphasized the need for structural changes, including the development of more comprehensive police studies, the thorough examination of police violence and racist tendencies and increased transparency.
Nietzard also criticized the Green Party’s leadership, saying that they are often not direct enough in their approach. She expressed a desire for the party to more prominently address police issues, citing the example of the recent death of Lorenz, a young man who died in police custody. She hopes that the party’s parliamentary faction, now in the opposition, will take a more prominent stance on these issues in the future.