When waving the German flag leads to a police raid.
Marius Keipp's story.
Perhaps you saw this action in Karlsruhe last summer, in 2024: a huge German flag unfurled as part of Stolzmonat, transforming LGBT Pride Month into a month of patriotic pride. Today, the German state is cracking down hard on those who peacefully stand up to defend their homeland, their identity, and their culture.
Among them is Marius Keipp, a former activist with Generation Identity Germany and former spokesperson for the identity action group Reconquista21 in Baden-Württemberg. On Tuesday, October 28, his home was the target of a major police raid—all because of that simple German flag.
Marius, you had a visit from a police commando unit this Tuesday. What happened that morning?
Marius: Around seven in the morning, I was awakened by loud noises in my house. The police broke down my front door with a battering ram. When I stepped into the hallway, I was confronted by five masked officers, one of whom had his weapon drawn. I had to raise my hands, stand against the wall, and was frisked as if I were a dangerous criminal.
My cell phone was taken away, and I had to spend the entire morning on my couch while they searched the whole house and took my devices.
What was the reason for this massive operation?
Marius: The accusation is that I was involved in a so-called “unregistered assembly” – an action in Karlsruhe’s palace park in the summer of 2024, during which a banner with a political message was displayed and smoke in black, red, and gold was set off. The action was part of the patriotic campaign “Stolzmonat”. Throughout Germany this June, black, red, and gold colors were hoisted to counter the LGBTQ scene’s “Pride Month.”
I was identified as the “ringleader” based on fingerprints on a smoke pot – and then 20 officers from all over Germany were sent to me to secure “further evidence.”
An unannounced gathering is a harmless offense that is usually punished with a fine of less than 1,000 euros, but it was treated as a serious crime. The operation at my home and the effort that went into it is nothing short of scandalous.
What was your impression of the officers’ behavior?
Marius: It was pure power play. They also searched the rooms of my roommates—people who had nothing to do with the matter. One of them even lives in another house on the same property. The door was only not kicked in because the resident was at home and let the officers in. My other roommate was not there at the time of the raid and now has to get a new door. This shows how much this was about intimidation and not about prosecuting a serious crime that endangered anyone’s safety.
You have been involved in Generation Identity for almost 10 years. What is the current climate in Germany towards you?
Marius: On the one hand, our structures are growing in depth and breadth - both nationally and internationally. We have many activists and supporters. The tide is turning, as it is everywhere in the Western world. People are fed up with illegal immigration, foreign infiltration, and national self-hatred. They want to live as self-determined Germans in a German Germany, celebrate their identity, and love their culture. The massive support we receive makes that clear.
Unfortunately, our political opponents are becoming increasingly repressive. I am not an isolated case: many of my fellow campaigners are plagued by these harassing house searches. More and more often, doors are broken down, laptops and cell phones disappear into the warehouses of the investigating authorities. Even apolitical people are increasingly affected. Nasty comments on social media are enough for the establishment to order house searches or impose heavy fines. The regime has abandoned any objective debate and is just using pure force. Plot twist: it won’t work.
How has this experience changed you personally?
Marius K: It has only motivated me to work harder on my projects. At 31, I am too old for Identitarian activism. I now devote myself to other work than organizing banner campaigns. The fact that the state continues to persecute me despite my departure from the front line clearly shows how low their inhibitions are towards us. There is no peaceful old age and no place of retreat. Once you have chosen the path of activism, you remain an activist for life, even if the form it takes changes.
I will not give up or allow myself to be intimidated in any way. Their repression is the best proof that our activism works.
What would you like to say to people who identify with your values but are afraid to be open about them?
Marius: I can understand anyone who hesitates. The price of sincerity is getting higher. But there comes a point when silence is no longer possible. In our countries, young Europeans are being brutally murdered for no reason, our women no longer dare to go out on the streets for fear of assault—our future hangs by a thread. I know activism is hard, but remaining silent in the face of these circumstances is also hard: choose your hard.
How can we support you in the face of this repression?
Marius: We have launched a GiveSendGo campaign to cover the costs of the measure. Every euro helps us and we are grateful for every donation! https://www.givesendgo.com/hisstdieflagge
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