Considering the weight of history, both literal and figurative, let’s focus on this 7.2-tonne findling. It’s more than just a rock. It’s the Hermann Stöhr Plaque. This plaque commemorates a man of unwavering conviction.
Hermann Stöhr was born in 1898. He died in 1940. He stood against the tide of Nazism. This memorial marks his courage and sacrifice.
The Hermann Stöhr Plaque sits in Hermann-Stöhr-Platz. This place bears his name. It is a testament to his legacy. Stöhr was a pacifist and social worker. He dedicated his life to helping vulnerable youth.
After serving as a volunteer in World War I, Stöhr became a committed pacifist. When World War II broke out in 1939, Hermann Stöhr refused to serve in the military. He also refused a “harmless” post. He wanted to say no to Hitler. He said no to his system. He especially said no to war.
In 1939, Hermann Stöhr refused military service. This refusal led to his execution. He was beheaded in Plötzensee Prison.
The Reich Court Martial tried to change Stöhr’s mind. But he stood by his pacifist principles. He was sentenced to death.
Initially, a Berliner Gedenktafel was unveiled on his 100th birthday. A year later unknown persons destroyed it. The current plaque is a replacement. It was inaugurated in early 2000. The inscription is nearly identical to the original. It honors Hermann Stöhr’s work. He worked in the Social Work Community Berlin-Ost from 1923 to 1931.
The inscription reads: “Here Hermann Stöhr worked from 1923 to 1931 in the Social Work Community Berlin-Ost. Hermann Stöhr. Born January 4, 1898. Died June 21, 1940. The convinced Christian and pacifist dedicated himself to socially vulnerable youth. In 1939, he refused military service in the Wehrmacht and was therefore executed in Berlin-Plötzensee.”
Hermann Stöhr’s story didn’t end with his death. In the 1990s, his death sentence was reviewed. In 1997, the Berlin Regional Court overturned the sentence. This was one of the first individual verdicts against war resisters from the Nazi era to be overturned.
His grave was leveled in the 1970s. It made way for a highway that was never built. Despite this, his memory lives on.
Even in death, Hermann Stöhr’s impact resonated. During his burial, Gestapo officials tried to stop a sermon. The priest could only say the Lord’s Prayer.
The Hermann Stöhr Plaque reminds us of a man who chose conscience over conformity. He chose peace over violence. His life is a challenge to us all. How will we stand up for our beliefs?