Grevesmühlen (dpa/mv) - In Grevesmühlen, the citizens' meeting has started because of the protests against the planned refugee accommodation in the Mecklenburg village of Upahl, which has a population of 500. "I can deeply understand that you are angry, that you are disappointed," said CDU district administrator Tino Schomann at the start on Friday evening in the gymnasium of the Tannenberg high school used for this purpose. Previously, Interior Minister Christian level (SPD) had briefly explained the basics of asylum law, on the basis of which refugees are distributed in the districts.
400 asylum seekers are to be accommodated in a container settlement in the town. According to the responsible district of Northwest Mecklenburg, this is mainly necessary because significantly more refugees have been assigned since November 2022. This has triggered acute pressure to act, since these people - in contrast to the refugees from Ukraine - may only be housed in communal accommodation.
Schomann assured that no more people should come to Upahl than previously planned and that the facility would only be temporary. The statement caused disbelief in the room. "Who believes that?" shouted a citizen. Around 30 people demonstrated loudly with slogans and megaphones in front of the building. Admission was granted to those who could identify themselves as citizens of Upahl.
So far there is only one other community accommodation in Wismar for 400 people in the district. Gymnasiums are currently also being used temporarily, and these are to be emptied as soon as the accommodation in Upahl is ready - probably in March.
On Thursday last week there had been riots during a protest against the planned facility during the district council meeting. 700 people had demonstrated there at the top, 120 police officers shielded the meeting.
