More than 4,000 people participated in the commemoration on Tuesday evening following the terrorist attack in Villach. Among them were Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) and Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ). On Saturday, a 23-year-old Syrian killed a 14-year-old and injured five people.

The memorial procession started at the northern bank of the Drau and quietly passed the crime scene at the Lower Main Square, where wreaths were laid. Afterwards, an ecumenical service was held with Catholic Diocesan Bishop Josef Marketz and Evangelical Lutheran Superintendent Manfred Sauer in the city parish church.

Candlelight March and Memorial Service in Villach After Terror Attack

Superintendent Sauer said: "Such a young life, a young person described as open-minded and friendly, was extinguished with a knife stab, just like a candle is extinguished." He spoke of the "painful contrast" between darkness and light, of mourning, but also confidence - also in relation to the attack: "Delusion and clarity so close together," Sauer referred to the contrasts between the attacker and the man who stopped him.

Bishop Marketz addressed his words especially to the young people: "I have heard so much loving and hopeful reporting, especially from young people, that hope has become the central term for me." One should never let one's heart be poisoned by hatred: "Because hatred also poisons hope." And if hope disappears, then vitality also disappears.

Schallenberg's Speech: "Never Tolerate Intolerance"

"This attack was a direct assault on our fundamental values, our way of life, and our freedom. With the aim of filling our society with fear and terror and dividing us," said Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) in his speech. But terrorism must not succeed in this: "And it will not succeed. Because our society, our community is stronger."

There can and will be no tolerance for Islamist terrorism, Schallenberg continued: "Precisely in the name of tolerance, we reserve the right to never tolerate intolerance." As a society, we must now create the necessary legal instruments "to ensure that the citizens in our country can live in safety."

As despicable and inhumane as the act was, the response of the helpers on site was equally humane, continued the Federal Chancellor, who thanked the Syrian man who drove into the attacker with a car and stopped him: "That is exactly what our society needs, and what defines us: That we stand together decisively for our values, for pluralism, and for freedom. With courage and resilience."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.