The group “Patriots on the move” gained access to the roof of the building via the neighboring house in the morning hours, according to a broadcast by the Ute Bock refugee project. They blocked the entrance to the house with a fence placed around a banner showing the map of Austria. “Around 20 unidentified men were present, chanting racist statements and lighting smoke bombs on the roof and in front of the entrance. Crude demands were still being thrown on the street.”
More than 90 children, women and men live in the Ute Bock house, including war refugees from the Ukraine who are seeking protection in Austria. “Many of them have experienced traumatic things,” said Gerd Trimmal, managing director and board member of the Ute Bock refugee project. “As a society, it is our duty to protect these people and they are faced with this hate. It’s a shame!”
“Any form of extremism is a threat to the democratic principle in our society,” emphasized Karner. The residents are scared, “this is an incredible burden, especially for children,” says Thomas Eminger, Managing Director of the NGO.
Vienna City Councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) stated that it was “inhuman, tasteless, disgusting and completely unacceptable” that “right-wing extremist muddleheads” were additionally frightening and threatening traumatized displaced persons from the Ukraine. Such disruptive actions “have no place in Vienna and will never be tolerated”. He hopes the police will investigate these rioters soon, Hacker said.
The police received several calls from the public. The right-wing extremists are likely to have fled by the time the emergency services arrived. Together with the professional fire brigade, the officials removed the banner. The house was checked for explosive material to be safe. The all-clear could be given.