Düsseldorf/Dülmen (dpa/lnw) – The Vice President of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, Rainer Schmeltzer (SPD), warned of the dangers of distrust and resentment in society on the day of national mourning in view of the war in Ukraine. “The dimensions of the Volkstrauertag are noticeably different this year,” said Schmeltzer on Saturday, according to the announcement at the state’s central commemoration event in Dülmen. “The war is back in Europe and not even a day’s drive away people are shooting at each other.” It is now important to remain defensive and steadfast against those “who want to sow distrust and resentment in our society.”
On the national day of mourning on this Sunday there are smaller events and wreath layings all over the country. On this day, the victims of war and tyranny are commemorated.
“This year we commemorate the dead of both world wars, the victims of National Socialist tyranny and all the people who died as a result of violence in later wars,” said SPD faction leader Thomas Kutschaty, who is also state chairman of the German War Graves Commission. “At the same time, we are stunned to look at our European neighbor, Ukraine, where innocent people are dying, losing their livelihoods and homes and having to flee.”
