Bergisch Gladbach Raises Anti-Racism Flag at City Hall

A city takes a stand with a striking new flag. Residents can join the movement—here's how to show solidarity against racism.

, and Administrator

2026 March 22 . 9:05 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people walking down a street, holding a banner with text and images on... — The image shows a group of people walking down a street, holding a banner with text and images on it. On the left side of the image, there is a car parked on the road. In the background, there are buildings, trees, sign boards, poles, a clock tower, and a clear blue sky. The people are wearing masks, suggesting that they are participating in a protest against racism.

Bergisch Gladbach Raises Anti-Racism Flag at City Hall

A new flag bearing the message 'Bergisch Gladbach – No Place for Racism!' now flies at the city's town hall. The design was created by the Bergisch Gladbach Association for Democracy and Diversity, a group formed just months ago in response to national concerns about extremism.

The association was founded in May 2024 after investigations into the far-right 'Potsdam Meeting' sparked widespread debate. Its members quickly set to work on a symbol of unity, with local artist Julia Bannenberg leading the flag's design.

An official handover took place recently, with the association presenting the first flag to deputy mayors Brigitta Opiela, Anna Maria Scheerer, and Josef Willnecker. The city has since raised it prominently outside the town hall. Residents can also support the initiative by ordering their own version of the flag. The association provides them in exchange for a donation, with further details available at *www.gl-devi.de*.

The flag's display marks a clear public stance against racism in Bergisch Gladbach. While other North Rhine-Westphalian cities, such as Duisburg, have launched similar democracy-focused projects, this initiative offers a visible and immediate reminder of the city's values.