I am Eduard Pröls, the Campaign Director for Germany at CitizenGO. As you might remember, I have spent the past year fending off criminal charges thanks to my work defending and promoting our shared values. And today I'm writing to give you the latest updates.
The case went back to court this week and there is both good news and bad.
To recap the situation, last year a group of LGTB -activists filed a criminal complaint accusing me of “Incitement of the people” because they objected to a meme I shared on CitizenGO’s Facebook page. The meme depicted pedophile activists using LGBT ideology as a trojan horse to make pedophilia accepted by society.
You only need to look at how children, not just in Germany, but across the world. They are being constantly targeted with obscenity and explicit materials designed to prematurely sexualize them in schools and across all sections of the media, in the name of ‘education,’ to realize that something is afoot.
The term ‘grooming’ is now frequently used by concerned commentators to describe this non-stop indoctrination of children.
Despite the fact the meme was not posted on my personal social, but on CitizenGO Germany’s Facebook page as part of a global campaign, the prosecutor nonetheless decided that I should be held personally liable and that by sharing it, I was expressing the opinion that everyone who identifies as LGBT, is a paedophile!
Based on this false interpretation, I was therefore potentially guilty of spreading hate against the LGBT community and ought to be sentenced for committing a hate crime and incitement of the people.
I cannot tell you how utterly terrifying it is to suddenly be facing serious criminal allegations that usually result in a jail sentence simply for posting a meme in the course of your job. You can only imagine the sleepless nights and the stress.
I couldn’t believe it when in February 2024, the local court at Kulmbach, Germany, actually followed the prosecutor’s flawed reasoning and, found me guilty, sentencing me to a monetary fine of €6,000 ($6500).
Obviously, we decided to appeal this case, not simply for my benefit but to defend everyone’s right to free speech and the appeal case was heard at Bayreuth regional court just over a week ago on Monday October 7, 2024.
Common sense prevailed when the judges there concluded that I did not commit any hate crime, as the attempts by some pedophiles to “normalize” pedophilia as part of the LGBT movement exist.
Both CitizenGO and I were naturally delighted by this acquittal!
However, it doesn’t end there. Yesterday the prosecutor announced that they are going to continue the attempted prosecution and take their case to a higher regional court to get my acquittal overturned. They seem absolutely determined to make an example out of me and set a legal precedent allowing people to be criminally pursued for nothing more than posting memes!
This means another six to eight months (or even more) of insecurity and fear about what the higher regional court will decide. More sleepless nights, more worries…
But I know that I have God on my side, and that I have you on my side!
Whereas “incitement of the people” used to be a very serious crime in the past, it is - not only in Germany - being used increasingly against everyone who disagrees with woke sentiments; especially those who resist the LGBT agenda.
Claiming “this is hate speech” about whatever statement the radical left does not like, is having a chilling effect on free speech.
Categorizing legitimate political and social commentary and freedom of expression as ‘hate speech’ is now a common tactic used to silence people like you and I, especially if they are professing Christian beliefs and values.
I know that many of you, the supporters of CitizenGO around the globe, have been praying for me and donating to help pay my legal bills. Thank you so much! My heart is filled with gratitude!
While I am daunted by yet another prolonged court battle, knowing that I can rely on your support is keeping me upbeat. I know that you will continue to keep me in your prayers as well as continue to cover my defence costs.
This is no longer a fight solely about me, but about defending the values that we all hold so dear.