[ad_1]
“Don’t pretend to be intimidated”
“The hatred that is raining down on me right now overshadows everything I have experienced so far,” says Karl Lauterbach, an SPD health expert. He had seen the effect these threats had on his colleagues.
SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach wants to remain a vocal part of the Corona debate despite the threats against him. “I don’t mean to be intimidated. These people will not silence me, “Lauterbach told the” Germany publishing network “(RND / Online: Monday).
Previously, he had complained of violent hostility against himself in a “Spiegel” interview. Try to hide that as much as possible. Also, you’ve been in the political business for a long time and it can take a long time. “But I have to say: the hatred that is raining down on me right now overshadows everything I have experienced thus far. This is a new dimension of verbal brutality, a new language that really bothers me, ”said the 57-year-old.
Meanwhile, it had become much quieter, the insults had decreased, Lauterbach continued. Now the hate is back. It has clearly escalated – and it seems to be getting more and more radical. ” Although he does not read everything: he does not make the “shameful and vile statements of these trolls in the forums”.
“Still, I cannot completely avoid it: I also receive abuse by direct message, by email, by letter.” He had to initiate the necessary reports. “These people want to silence others and me, of course. I know some scientists who are now much more cautious after threats on the Internet, which I can understand. “
Lauterbach: “I have changed my life”
When asked by RND how he explains the rise in hatred, Lauterbach said: “These people are extremely frustrated and angry. They hoped vaccines and next spring would quickly return life to normal. They see that the slow vaccination begins, they do not understand or do not want to understand why the mutations of the virus are a great danger and prevent them from loosening.
His family is also threatened. “I don’t want to comment on these private matters,” Lauterbach said. “Of course I am concerned. I have changed my life and seek the advice of security experts ”. It can never be completely ruled out “that some violent person or even a mentally ill person does not violate me or my family.”
[ad_2]