Poet, anarchist, and a man of peace. This Erich Mühsam Plaque commemorates a life tragically cut short. We stand here before Alt-Lietzow 12. This was Erich Mühsam’s home from 1924 to 1927.
Erich Mühsam was born in Berlin in 1878. He became a writer, publicist, and antimilitarist. Mühsam was a key figure in the Munich Soviet Republic in 1919. For this, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released after five years due to an amnesty.
The Erich Mühsam Plaque states he was “an anarchist who hated violence”. Yet, violence marked his final days. In 1934, the Nazis murdered him in the Oranienburg concentration camp. The plaque serves as a stark reminder of his fate.
This Erich Mühsam Plaque wasn’t always here. It was unveiled on January 18, 2003. Monika Thiemen, the district mayor, attended the ceremony. Chris Hirte from the Erich Mühsam Society was also present. Brigitte Arndt, an artist living in the house, initiated and designed the plaque.
The original Erich Mühsam Plaque was made of copper and protected by glass. Text and image were etched through the plate. A translucent brass plate behind made them visible. In 2005, the damaged plaque was removed. It was later reinstalled in a window niche to the left above the workshop entrance.
Originally, the Erich Mühsam Plaque incorrectly stated “KZ Sachsenhausen”. The mistake has been corrected. The Erich Mühsam Plaque measures 45x55cm.
Erich Mühsam’s life was full of activism. He advocated for the release of political prisoners. Mühsam found his political home in the “Anarchist Association”. He was arrested after the Reichstag fire.
Erich Mühsam’s death was reported as suicide by hanging in the Nazi press. However, fellow prisoners refuted this claim. They testified that SS guards murdered him in the camp commander’s room. His brother, a doctor, examined Mühsam’s body. He found signs of strangulation and beating.
Today, the Erich Mühsam Plaque stands as a testament to his courage. It honors his commitment to social justice. It reminds us of the dangers of extremism.
Consider Mühsam’s words as you stand here. He once wrote about freeing society from the state. His legacy lives on through his writings. It endures in the memory of those who fight for a better world. The Erich Mühsam Plaque is more than a memorial. It is a call to action. It urges us to stand up for what is right.