Sebastian D. Torell's Blog
November 9, 2023
Traveling 100 years back
On November 9th, 1923, Munich's Feldherrnhalle became the stage for a pivotal moment in history. The Odeonsplatz witnessed the halt of Adolf Hitler's coup by police forces, a clash that led to the loss of lives on both sides.
The subsequent trial of Hitler turned into a spectacle, inadvertently elevating his profile. Judge Neithardt's leniency in sentencing, resulting in Hitler serving only nine months of a five-year term, would have far-reaching consequences.
During this short imprisonment, Hitler penned the first part of 'Mein Kampf', under conditions that were far from punitive.
Fast forward a century, and the echoes of the past are a solemn reminder of the vigilance required to safeguard the values we hold dear.
Recent events in German cities and, I gather, in other countries as well, raise concerns about the safety of Jews, other minorities like the LGBT community, and the rights of women who strive for equal and self-determined lives.
These concerns are not just historical footnotes; they are a living testament to the continuous struggle for justice and equality.
In Bavaria, where I live and work for the judiciary, prosecutorial structures have been optimized, demonstrating the vigilance of our institutions.
We take pride in our rule of law, independent courts, and the freedom of speech that underpins our democracy.
However, the true test of a democracy lies in its ability to not only endure but also to inspire and be championed by its people. Our democratic institutions are robust, but their survival is not guaranteed by their strength alone.
It requires a collective commitment to uphold the principles they stand for.
I invite you to share your reflections on how the lessons from our past can inform our actions today.
Find my original post (in German but you can auto-translate it) on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
The subsequent trial of Hitler turned into a spectacle, inadvertently elevating his profile. Judge Neithardt's leniency in sentencing, resulting in Hitler serving only nine months of a five-year term, would have far-reaching consequences.
During this short imprisonment, Hitler penned the first part of 'Mein Kampf', under conditions that were far from punitive.
Fast forward a century, and the echoes of the past are a solemn reminder of the vigilance required to safeguard the values we hold dear.
Recent events in German cities and, I gather, in other countries as well, raise concerns about the safety of Jews, other minorities like the LGBT community, and the rights of women who strive for equal and self-determined lives.
These concerns are not just historical footnotes; they are a living testament to the continuous struggle for justice and equality.
In Bavaria, where I live and work for the judiciary, prosecutorial structures have been optimized, demonstrating the vigilance of our institutions.
We take pride in our rule of law, independent courts, and the freedom of speech that underpins our democracy.
However, the true test of a democracy lies in its ability to not only endure but also to inspire and be championed by its people. Our democratic institutions are robust, but their survival is not guaranteed by their strength alone.
It requires a collective commitment to uphold the principles they stand for.
I invite you to share your reflections on how the lessons from our past can inform our actions today.
Find my original post (in German but you can auto-translate it) on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
