Police Unions Condemn Green Youth Leader’s Remarks as Police-Hating and Extremist
The police unions in Germany have strongly criticized the leader of the Green Youth, Jette Nietzard, for her comments, labeling her as a police-hater and an extremist. The unions have accused the Green Youth of lacking democratic awareness and being a haven for left-wing extremists.
Rainer Wendt, the head of the German Police Union, told the Bild newspaper that the Green Youth is “a bunch of well-off, extremist left-wingers who lack any potential for democratic awareness.” He added that the group is prone to outbursts of primitive violence when it comes to the police and the state, but whines like children when faced with robust action.
Wendt also suggested that the Green Party as a whole is no longer a centrist force if it continues to tolerate the Green Youth’s actions. The controversy stems from a photo posted by Nietzard on Instagram, in which she is wearing a sweater with the letters “ACAB” – a slogan often associated with anti-police and anti-authoritarian movements.
Jochen Kopelke, the head of the Police Union, also condemned Nietzard’s remarks, saying they are an example of “pubescent police-hatred” and lack of professionalism. He added that the Green Youth is likely seeking to generate clicks with such comments, but that in an emergency, even they would call the police for help and receive assistance from the very people they despise.
Manuel Ostermann, the deputy head of the Police Union, stated that Nietzard openly displays her disdain for the police. He warned that if police officers were to think and act as radically as Nietzard, they would be investigated by the justice system and rightfully so. Ostermann emphasized that the problem is not the police, but rather the radical ideologues who have a lot of opinions but little understanding.