Note on the Prohibition of a Torchlight Procession
for Andreas Gottschalk. Draft

A deputation of the Workers’ Association betook itself on Friday at 10 o’clock (23 December) to Police Director Geiger, to obtain permission for a torchlight procession for Gottschalk. Geiger declared that he could not grant this, “it was not allowed.” Another deputation then betook itself to Commandant Engels.

He had the names asked of those who wished to speak to him. Beckhausen and another came in, declared that they came from the police headquarters, that the holding of the torchlight procession had been refused there. They now intended to ask him –

Engels was already prepared; there was as yet no mention of any name, for whom and for what torchlight procession; he interrupted: “The authorities have had the men arrested, etc.; it is true they have been acquitted by the jury; but because the authorities have once had them arrested, they cannot now permit the torchlight procession.”

He would also not allow a serenade with music “under no condition.”