Probably every Viennese still remembers what they just did on November 2, 2020 when an IS sympathizer was up to mischief, killing four people in the city center and injuring 20 before he was shot by the police. In the early evening in Vienna, the top government commemorated the victims of the terrorist attack. The memorial event of the republic was held in the Ruprechtskirche, in the immediate vicinity of which the shots were fired at that time.
“There are no words that would be appropriate in view of what happened out here in front of this church,” said Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. All he could do was to express his heartfelt condolences to the relatives on behalf of the Republic of Austria. Nothing can compensate for and make amends for what has happened.
The Federal President gave the first names of the killed victims, Gudrun, Nedzip, Qiang and Vanessa. Four candles each on the altar and on the stairs to the chancel commemorated them. Van der Bellen also thanked the executive: “You defended us all.” He also paid tribute to those people who helped passers-by on the night of terror.
Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) was convinced: “November 2nd is a date that will never again be indifferent in Austria. Not for us as a society, but certainly not for those from whom a family member, a friend, a friend, a loved one was brutally torn away that day. ” It is the day on which the terror showed its “grimace” in Austria.
But society stuck together at the time, as the Chancellor emphasized. Schallenberg asserted that intolerance would not be tolerated – no matter where: “It must be clear to all those who try to sow hatred and discord that they will feel the full severity of the law.”
“Even after a year we can still feel all of us bewildered,” said National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP). The attack left “indelible marks” and deeply wounds society. Austria is no longer a blank spot on the map of terror. Among other things, he pointed out that it was important to identify and prevent radicalization in advance.
Again and again there are people who believe that violence is the solution, warned Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. The seeds are often sown in the hearts and minds of young people. The counter-image, he was confident, was stronger. The spirit of the community manifested itself impressively that evening.
The memorial event in the Ruprechtskirche was accompanied musically by the young musicians of the group “Weil ma belien”. At the hour of the attack a year ago, they were rehearsing in the small sacred building, which is considered to be the oldest church in the city. The assassin was shot dead by police forces on Ruprechtsplatz just a few meters away after killing four people. “Today the song will be sung to the end,” said Schönborn: “These are the signs of hope.”
The one-hour event, in which almost the entire government took part, was dedicated to the “good people” of November 2, 2020, as moderator Danielle Spera, director of the Jewish Museum, emphasized. 2,500 officers were on duty at the time, many of them coming from their free time or vacation. The first to receive his award was the policeman who was shot and seriously injured by the perpetrator. Many of the honorees accepted their honor masked for security reasons, so no names were given.
On the one hand there was suffering, on the other hand an incredible amount of bravery, courage and determination, Nehammer praised the commitment. The Schallenberg was deeply impressed. He paid respect, appreciation and thanks to the police officers and their relatives and called himself a “protective shield for society and the people in Austria”.
In his address, Nehammer emphasized that the terror had already lost dramatically on the night of the attack. The night of terror has proven that in Austria everyone is one: “Whoever attacks one attacks us all.”
