Religion: Strong protest during Trump's visit to the Pittsburgh Synagogue

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MStrong demonstrations have gathered about 1,500 people against the condolences of US President Donald Trump in a synagogue attacked to death in Pittsburgh. While Trump paid tribute to the eleven victims of the anti-Semitic attack with his wife Melania and other family members by symbolic gestures on Tuesday, the protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the president and the president. accused of having stimulated the right-wing extremist scene.

Protesters gathered in front of the synagogue's security barriers and shouted, among other things, "words mean something" and "more hatred". On banners, messages such as "Hate speech generates hate crimes" or "Trump, you have blood on your hands" are read.

Trump's visit to Pittsburgh contributes more to the split than the "rapprochement," said 57-year-old librarian Nonie Heystek, who had joined the protest. Pittsburgh is "stronger than hate," said Patricia Calderone, a 62-year-old retiree with a sign saying "Kill Trump's Lie".

Representatives of the local Jewish community made it clear shortly after the attack that they did not want the president's visit. "President Trump, you're not welcome in Pittsburgh until you totally condemn white nationalism," they wrote in an open letter that was also read at the protest. The signatories described what was the most lethal antisemitic attack in the history of the United States as a "direct escalation" of Trump's "influence".

Protests against a visit to condolence following a violent act are a very unusual process in the United States. The Pittsburgh event was joined by people of all ages and faiths. It was peaceful, according to the police.

The President of the United States and the First Lady lit candles in the honor of the victims during their 20-minute visit to the Tree of Life synagogue. They then laid a white flower and a small stone in front of the stars near the temporary memorial located in front of the church, reminiscent of the eleven victims of Saturday's attack. The laying of small stones on the tombs is a Jewish tradition.

The president was also accompanied by his daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner. Both are of Jewish religion. The visit had "moved the president," said spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. He wanted to pay the victims "respect on behalf of the whole country".

During his condolence visit to Pennsylvania's state town, Trump also ignored a request from the mayor of the city. City chief Bill Peduto said Trump should wait with his visit until the eleven victims are buried. The funeral began shortly before Trump's visit.

The rabbi of the Tree of Life synagogue, Jeffrey Myers, said in advance that the president was welcome. Myers then led Trump and his family through the church where a man shouted anti-Semitic slogans on Saturday and shot down eleven people.

Shortly after the attack, Trump had condemned anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred of religions and minorities. Critics, however, claim that they have paved the way for political violence with its aggressive rhetoric against political rivals and social minorities.