The disagreement reached its apex on 18 April 1937 when several hundred Schüttorfers gathered before the town hall after Middendorff had been arrested and “sang him free”, standing there for hours singing chorales until he was released.
Erimeelsused kulmineerusid 18. aprillil 1937, kui mitusada Schüttorfi elanikku kogunesid pärast Middendorffi vahistamist raekoja ette ja "laulsid ta vabaks", seistes seal tunde ja lauldes koraale, kuni ta vabastati.