Remember those students who dared to resist? Here at this plaque, we honor a brave chapter of the White Rose resistance in Hamburg. This plaque marks a meeting place. It was vital for opponents of the Nazi regime during World War II. This is the Familie Leipelt, Weiße Rose Hamburg Plaque.
The White Rose began in Munich. Students like Hans and Sophie Scholl spoke out against Nazi crimes. They advocated for passive resistance. Their courage inspired others, even here in Hamburg.
In Hamburg, two groups formed sympathetic to the White Rose. One group of former students met secretly. They read forbidden literature and listened to foreign broadcasts. Another group formed around the Leipelt family in Wilhelmsburg. This plaque commemorates the crucial link between these groups. It was the bookshop run by Reinhold Meyer.
The Hamburg Cultural Authority honored this spot. It was a place where members of the resistance met. Imagine the hushed conversations. Think of the shared fear and determination.
The Gestapo exposed the Hamburg group in 1943. Informers helped them. By March 1944, thirty members were arrested. Hans Leipelt faced the People’s Court. He was executed on January 29, 1945. Seven other members died in prison or at Neuengamme.
After the war, these individuals became known as the Hamburg branch of the White Rose. Their bravery wasn’t forgotten. A pedestrian zone was named after the White Rose in 1977. A monument was erected in their memory.
Even this act of remembrance faced resistance. Local residents protested the street renaming. The monument had to be temporarily removed during construction. But the community rallied. They demanded its return. In 2007, the monument was re-erected in a more central location.
The Familie Leipelt, Weiße Rose Hamburg Plaque reminds us of their sacrifice. It stands as a testament to the power of resistance. It honors those who dared to stand against tyranny. Let us remember their courage. Let us never forget the price they paid for freedom. The plaque is a meeting point in history.