“Vienna remains a city of togetherness”

News

4 November 2020

After the terrorist attack in Vienna on Monday, mayor Michael Ludwig has expressed his gratitude for the solidarity and support shown by other cities. “It reinforces and strengthens our feeling to be a part of a European family of cities standing together against all attempts to destroy our democratic way of life as much as our common principles of inclusion and diversity”, he writes in a letter to the network Eurocities.

Four people have been killed and 23 others injured in the attack. The gunman has since been identified as a 20-year-old “Islamist terrorist”.

This is the full letter by mayor Michael Ludwig:

“Dear friends in our Eurocities family,

Monday night’s attack in Vienna was an attack against the togetherness we live in our city. For all of us this will leave a lasting impression on us. My thoughts are with the victims and their families – and at the same time I can guarantee you and all Viennese people: we will not give way. We will not let these acts of terror affect us and disturb the peaceful coexistence in this city, and we will make sure that our beautiful city will not be brought to its knees. The goal of terror is to play groups off against each other – and we will not allow this to happen. We will stay firm against any intention to destabilize democracy and inciting us against each other.

It has been comforting to receive so many signs of solidarity and support from so many cities across Europe; I wish to thank all my Mayor colleagues wholeheartedly for this. It reinforces and strengthens our feeling to be a part of a European family of cities standing together against all attempts to destroy our democratic way of life as much as our common principles of inclusion and diversity.

Vienna is one of the safest metropolises in the world and we will give back this feeling of confidence and security to all Viennese people. I am proud of the excellent and stable cooperation between the police and the city’s institutions, the rescue and fire departments, the public transport and the hospitals, on Monday night, and thank everyone involved. This cooperation is an important sign of the spirit of solidarity that is at the heart of our city.

Vienna was, is and will remain to be the cosmopolitan city of social cohesion and togetherness – this is also how we will master this great challenge.”