Celebrities take a stand against growing polarisation: Celebrities take a stand against growing polarisation

In reaction to the New Year's Eve attacks in Cologne, celebrities from the Rhineland region are calling for a more welcoming society. Among those who signed an appeal for tolerance published in many German newspapers were Cologne's Cardinal Woelki, the author Navid Kermani, musician Wolfgang Niedecken and artist Rosemarie Trockel. Following the outbreak of violence, it was important to tackle the growing polarisation in society, they said. The letter also argued that some men from Middle Eastern and South Asian backgrounds have a serious problem with gender equality.