This must change. And today's right-wing violence poses a concrete threat to far more people. And when things do hot up, the police must not stand idly by. In addition, there are some 200 loose associations of right-wing extremists at local level across the country. But with its actions against the Hamburger Sturm, the Hamburg Senate last week showed that it is possible nonetheless to ban at least some of them.
Bans disconcert right-wing extremists no more, no less than that.
The leaders will form new organisations, as they have done before. Confiscated property and equipment like computers or mobile phones will quickly be replaced. But by snapping at their heels, one keeps them on their guard. For the chief of police of Eberswalde, Uta Leichsenring, this has been a positive approach. True, those involved will constantly adopt new symbols, but any ban is a warning, a sign of vigilance.