Remove the defaced Dr. Karl Lueger-Denkmal statue and memorial In Vienna. 

 

I am deeply troubled by the presence of the Dr. Karl Lueger-Denkmal statue in 2025. It stands for values that are truly antithetical to a just and inclusive society. 

Karl Lueger, an antisemitic mayor of Vienna was one of the first figures from whom Adolf Hitler learned about the hate and prejudices against Jewish people, ideas that undeniably played a role in humanity’s most infamous genocide—the Holocaust.

As an autistic person I am aware that I along with many other groups of people, could have been a victim during this astonishing time.

Austria, a nation that had an estimated Jewish population of about 192,000 people before World War II must strive to remember its past with honesty and clarity. 

A statue commemorating a figure with such a disgraceful history does not align with the values of diversity and acceptance that we should aspire to today. 

It is imperative that we critically reflect on who we choose to honor in our public spaces, ensuring that they embody principles of equality and respect for all people.

In light of ongoing global atrocities notably the genocide of Palestinians, this statue is a symbol that promotes tolerance for antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination such as ableism. 

We must stand against this by advocating for the removal of the Karl Lueger Statue and memorial and others like it. This statue makes a mockery of past and current genocides. Our ethical standards should be higher than this! 

The removal of the Karl Lueger statue would not erase history but would instead signify our commitment to acknowledging past wrongs while suggesting a future where all forms of discrimination are actively challenged.

Please join me in calling for the removal of the Dr. Karl Lueger-Denkmal statue. 

Sign this petition to demand a world that visibly rejects prejudice and upholds values of inclusivity and respect.