Every Saturday, Munich's “Grannies against the Right” defend democracy. With words, umbrellas, banners – and the firm conviction that democracy must remain visible. A story on what happens when 15 elderly ladies meet the public at the mall.
The grannies swarm out. Unmissable, very present. At a smart pace they slide through Munich's pedestrian mall during Saturday's lunchtime. “Are you also in favor of democracy?” they shout, reaching out to distribute flyers. Many refuse. No, no. Democracy will have to wait, their priority is lululemon or H&M.On their huge banner, the “Omas gegen Rechts” (Grannies against the Right) make their mission known: “Shared responsibility for our democracy”. No exclamation marks, no shouting. Just about twenty elderly women, whose activist group has been gaining members for weeks. Why?
Marketing Measure
Susanne Schrüfer, 62, leaps onto the underground in Munich's Moosach district, a white umbrella in her right hand, which she will later place in front of the banner. “I used to work in marketing”, says Schrüfer, alert eyes, beige cardigan with a button on it: Heart instead of Hate. Always the same message, she says. Repetition is important, over and over again, until people realize: chocolate equals Hershey's. Marketing for democracy, in the midst of a growing culture war – on the other side, there are conspiracy theorists, right-wing populists, right-wing extremists.
Susanne Schrüfer – eine „Oma gegen Rechts” | Foto (Detail): © Daniel Hinz
10.55 a.m. With united forces, the democracy banner is now spread out like in a soccer stadium.
In Search of Stance
The 11 o'clock church bell ringing is like a sign. The hunt is on. Almost 20 grannies, 30 feet radius. Mission: democracy. And it does indeed seem a bit missionary. Orangutan rescuers on the hunt for donations. Fundraising vibes. Except the grannies don't want money. They want stance.A young woman in an FC Bayern jersey waves them off, she says she's Swiss. The granny mumbles: “You could use it over there too.”
A guy in a flat cap and turtleneck gives a thumbs-up, but is intercepted nine yards further on by the next granny. Schrüfer remarks that they have to improve organization – approach someone if they look interested, but never bother them. And certainly not if the person has already shown to be an ally. 80 percent of encounters are based on the thumbs-up principle.
Becoming a Granny
But how do you actually become a granny? It doesn't happen nilly-willy. You don't have to be a biological grandma. You have to apply, says Schrüfer. Read the website, understand the values, connect. Be against discrimination, in favour of the constitution, against climate change, for Europe. Against right-wing, but not against the conservative parties CDU and CSU, just to be clear. “We are non-partisan”, emphasises Schrüfer.
Mut – Vielfalt – Klimaschutz: Dafür stehen die „Omas gegen Rechts” | Foto (Detail): © Daniel Hinz
If you want to be a member of the Munich chapter, you cannot get past Sibylle Dietzel, 63. She works for a publisher, and in her spare time she is one of the trainers for prospective grannies. “Huge crowds”, she says. Since the CDU/CSU's inquiry into the funding of supposedly left-wing movements, the grannies have been popular like TikTok influencers after the first viral clip. They have been notorious since the 551 questions in February 2025 to the failed government made up of the SPD, FDP and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen about how NGOs – including the “Grannies against the Right” – are financed. Susanne Schrüfer says that since then she has been approached more often during her vigils. Frequently by older men. They tell her they are “grandpas against the left”. Schrüfer says that in 90 percent of cases, they don't want to talk to you. They just want to vent their frustration.
Packed Wait Lists
11:16 a.m. Two policemen arrive, appearing friendly. Please clear the tactile system on the ground. “We'll keep an eye on that,” says a granny. One encounter later, an unfriendly guy rushes past, shouting something about “funding” and “wanted nothing to do with it”. Schrüfer shakes her head. That is exactly what she is talking about. Discussions? Pointless with someone like that. Susanne Schrüfer has also lost a few old friends to conspiracy theories.The Munich grannies are organised on a decentralised basis and have nothing to do with the group from Berlin, apart from names and attitudes. There is also an club, but nobody has to become a member. Donations are welcome, but without a receipt. They have had an exploding wait list since January. It used to be one walk per month to get to know each other. Now it takes place every week – with up to 15 prospective grannies. Their appointments are booked out until June. “We have a backlog of 200 applicants.”
Every Saturday: vigil for democracy in Munich's pedestrian zone | Photo (detail): © Daniel Hinz
We are the grannies grannies grannies against the right / And those who walk, brown bunch, through the country, with their boots on the right / But we love colourful skirts, don't need a brown Höcke / Come to us and fight against the right.
After that, swarming out again.
A young man in an “Eat a Priest, Save a Child” T-shirt shouts a loud “NO” to the question of democracy. An elderly gentleman feigns a heart attack, theatrically clutches his chest, then continues walking normally. A normal Saturday highlight for the grannies.
12 o'clock. The bells ring from St Mary's Church. The grannies pack up their banners and umbrellas. They'll be back next week. The story continues.
05/2025