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Altstadt in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany — Central Europe
 

Demokratischer Widerstand Junger Menschen zu Allen Zeiten

Democratic Resistance By Young People

 
 
Demokratischer Widerstand Junger Menschen zu Allen Zeiten Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 16, 2024
1. Demokratischer Widerstand Junger Menschen zu Allen Zeiten Marker
Inscription.  
Trotz der Repressalien leisteten Menschen weiter Widerstand. Schüler schlossen sich zum „Eisenberger Kreis" zusammen. Mit Flugblättern forderten sie freie Wahlen und die Freilassung politischer Gefangener. 1958 wurden 24 Mitglieder der Gruppe zu insgesamt 116 Jahren Zuchthaus verurteilt. in den 1980er Jahren protestierte der „Weiße Kreis" in Jena mit Demonstrationen und Schweigemärschen für das Recht auf Ausreise. Thomas Schmidt war Mitglied des „Weißen Kreises". Wegen eines Telefongesprächs mit Verwandten im Westen wurde er zu 17 Monaten Haft verurteilt. Im Zuchthaus Cottbus musste er Zwangsarbeit für Pentacon leisten. Matthias Domaschk starb unter mysteriösen Umständen in Untersuchungshaft der Staatssicherheit. Roland Jahn wurde mit Gewalt aus der DDR abgeschoben. 2011 wurde er Bundesbeauftragter für die Stasi-Unterlagen.

Despite the reprisals, people continued to put up resistance. School children joined forces in the Eisenberg Circle. They produced flyers demanding free elections and the release of political prisoners. In 1958, 24 members of the group were sentenced to a total of 116 years in jail. In the 1980s, the White Circle in Jena held demonstrations and silent protests campaigning for the right to emigrate to the West. Thomas Schmidt was a member of the White Circle. He was sentenced to 17 months' imprisonment because of a phone call with relatives in the West. He had to carry out forced labour for the camera manufacturer Pentacon in Cottbus prison. Matthias Domaschk died under mysterious circumstances in secret police custody. Roland Jahn was forcibly deported from the GDR. In 2011, he became Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Records.

[Photo Captions:]
Der Bundesbeauftragte für die Unterlagen der Staatselcherholt der DDR, Roland Jahn.
The Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Records of the former GDR, Roland Jahn.
Quelle: privat (2017)

Thomas Schmidt, Elke Schlegel und Sohn Tony
Thomas Schmidt, Elke Schlegel and their son, Tony
Quelle: Elke Schiogel (1983)

Tollnehmer des Weißen Kreises werden von der Volkspolizei verhaftet (1983).
Members of the White Circle being are being arrested by the People’s Police (1983).
Quelle: BStU, MIS, HA/XX/F0/211-Bild 18

Protest-Graffiti im Haupteingang der Berliner Stasi-Zentrale: ihr habt Matthias Domaschk ermordet."
Protest graffiti at the main entrance of the Stast headquarters in Berlin: "You murdered Matthias Domaschk."
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellechaft / Siegbert- Schofke / RHG Fe HAB 11905

Ehemaliges DDR-Zuchthaus Cottbus, heuto Zentrum für Menschenrechte und Godenkstätte im Besitz ehemaliger politischer Häftlinge der DDR.
Former East German prison in Cottbus, now a Centre for Human Rights and memorial site owned by former political prisoners in the GDR.
Foto: Elke Schlogel, 2016

Forderungen nach Freiheit des Eisenberger Kreises als „Mobiler Protest", auf einem Güterwagen (1958).
Demands for freedom by the Eisenberg Circle as a 'mobile protest' on a goods train (1958).
Quelle BStU, M/S, Ast Gera AU 33/58


 
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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil RightsWar, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.
 
Location. 50° 21.837′ N, 7° 36.275′ E. Marker is in Koblenz, Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate). It is in Altstadt. It is on Peter Altmeier Ufer west of Konrad Adenauer Ufer, on the left when traveling west. Marker is on the footpath beside the river. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Peter-Altmeier-Ufer 4, Koblenz RP 56068, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mit Demonstrationen und Kerzen zur Friedlichen Revolution (here, next to this marker); Gegen das Vergessen des Unrechts der Sed-Diktatur (here, next to this marker); Der 17. Juni 1953 - Volksaufstand Gegen das SED-Regime (here, next to this marker); Gefangen im Eigenen Land - Fluchtwege In den Westen
Demokratischer Widerstand Junger Menschen zu Allen Zeiten Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 16, 2024
2. Demokratischer Widerstand Junger Menschen zu Allen Zeiten Marker
(here, next to this marker); Im Gedenken an die Opfer der Deutschen Teilung (here, next to this marker); Koblenz (a few steps from this marker); Spätgotische Kapelle / Late Gothic Chapel (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Moderne: Deutsches Eck Mit Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Koblenz.
 
Demokratischer Widerstand Junger Menschen zu Allen Zeiten Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 16, 2024
3. Demokratischer Widerstand Junger Menschen zu Allen Zeiten Marker
Looking Towards the River and the Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, December 16, 2024
4. Looking Towards the River and the Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
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Jul. 25, 2026