Ban the NPD!

Anyone who believes that the German neo-Nazi party NPD is just a harmless, marginal political group in eastern Germany needs to see the documentary Die neue braune Welle which aired earlier this week on ZDF.  The film focuses on neo-Nazi activity in two communities – one in Saxony-Anhalt and the other in Bavaria.  We always hear about how right-wing extremist groups have flourished in the eastern states, but their rapid growth in the west is less known.  What was shocking to me is that NPD engages in nearly weekly marches under police protection.  Those citizens who actively protest the Nazis are often arrested and prosecuted by the local law enforcement.  The documentary makes clear: the NPD is dedicated to the destruction of the democratic system in Germany and does not deserve the protection of the state.  Rather, the party should be banned:

Here is a clip from the documentary, but the entire film is worth watching if you can find it on the ZDF Mediathek site: