The Technische Universität Dresden is presenting a united front against intolerant attitudes. In reaction to the xenophobic activities of PEGIDA the Technische Universität Dresden is calling for people to join the Sternlauf (Star Walk) on 08/12/2014 under the motto „Dresden for all“.

Hans Reuter, the StuRa (Student Council) Equality Policies consultant, said: “Right now, there are many students at the TU Dresden who do not fit into the narrow world view of this new ‘patriotic movement’. We are responsible for making sure our students feel welcome in Dresden and have no reason to fear discrimination. Foreign and German students and scientists from a wide range of backgrounds and with a wide variety of religions are an inherent part of campus life. This international, intercultural community is not a problem but an asset for us all.”

Eric Hattke, the TU Dresden StuRa Public Relations consultant, went on to say that “Faced with the ever greater popularity of PEGIDA, we need a strong show of support from the civil society. As students we stand for a social cooperation between people and against the spreading of racist discourse!”

Prof. Dr. Hans Müller-Steinhagen, Rector of the TU Dresden, emphasized this point: “In research and teaching outstanding achievements are only achievable by working hard together. Science is international! This is what life is like at the TU Dresden, where foreign and German students and scientists, from a wide range of backgrounds and with a wide variety of religions, are an inherent part of our university.
The PEGIDA demonstrations hinder all TU Dresden activities that aim for a multicultural and tolerant Dresden. We want foreign students and scientists to decide to come to Dresden and the TU Dresden and for them all to feel welcome here.”

The TU Dresden is supporting the Sternlauf “Open Your Mind - Stop Racism!“ demonstration being held by the Dresden civil society (Dresdner Zivilgesellschaft) on 8th December and hopes to make a strong declaration of belief in multiculturalism and against racism.

Prof. Dr. Müller-Steinhagen added:
“Even if we are all furious about and appalled by the atrocities committed by the Islamic State (IS), to associate this behavior with all Muslims, all refugees and all asylum seekers is wrong and dangerous and is playing right into the hands of right-wing extremist groups. Insecurities and latent fears of strangers and the unknown are misused to fuel aversion and resistance to refugees, precisely those people who need our help and support the most. PEGIDA is charging an important societal topic with xenophobic and narrow-minded arguments and is fuelling the very fears that PEGIDA itself says it takes very seriously. As Rector of the TU Dresden, I wish to distance myself from these protests on behalf of the entire University and call on all staff and students to continue working hard for tolerance and multiculturalism and take part in the Sternlauf on 8th December.”

The TU Dresden Rector himself will take part in the Sternlauf (5 o'clock p.m. Fritz-Foerster-Platz).
 
The Staff Council will stand up for the rights of all employees, regardless of their background or religion. “At our university intercultural diversity is a part of life. In addition to the work they do, foreign employees bring their ideas and knowledge with them. This requires a multicultural atmosphere of trust and mutual respect both in our city and in our country. It requires the readiness to approach each other, to create our future and our lives together”, said the Staff Council Chairwoman Dr. Christina Janz.
 
Eric Hattke concluded „To us it is clear that we cannot just sit back and watch when intolerant attitudes are running rampant and hatred is being fuelled.”

Dresden, 04/12/2014