The North Rhine-Westphalian (NRW) Interior Minister, Herbert Reul, has urged people to not let the threat of the “Islamic State” (IS) deter them from celebrating the Carnival. Despite the terror group’s threats, Reul encouraged people to enjoy the festivities and not let the fear of attacks stop them. “Go out, celebrate Carnival and enjoy the days of joy” Reul told the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung on Wednesday.
The Minister himself will participate in the Cologne Rose Monday parade, a move aimed at showing that the IS’s threats will not dictate the way of life in the region. “We should not let these types of people dictate how we live our lives” Reul said.
The police are preparing for the Carnival, with a total of around 9,900 officers on duty on Weiberfastnacht and an additional 12,000 on Rosenmontag. This is a significant increase compared to a regular day, with an additional 4,600 officers on duty on Monday and 2,500 on a typical Thursday, according to the Minister.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) also stated that it has no indications of a concrete threat of attacks during the Carnival, but the general threat of Islamist terrorism remains high. The authorities face the challenge of identifying radicalized individuals who may carry out attacks without prior preparation or visible signs.
Political figures have called for not giving in to the IS’s intimidation and for continuing to celebrate publicly. “It is the goal of the terrorists and their threats to create a sense of insecurity, so that we go to parties and parades with a sense of unease” said Julia Höller, a Green Party expert on the interior. “But the security authorities are prepared.”
Cologne’s Mayor, Henriette Reker, stated through her spokesperson that no one can intimidate the people of Cologne, who value openness, tolerance and togetherness. “For us, this is what makes us who we are and it is something that cannot be taken away by intimidation” she said.