Appeals for cohesion and anger on immigrants at Villacher memorial march

Manfred “Waschi” Mertel is one of the first in the square. The former professional footballer, in the 1970s and 1980s at Voest Linz, Austria Salzburg and the GAK, interrupted his obligations in Vienna in order to attend this “historical moment”. As a team athlete, he knew about the importance of community, says the 70-year-old, who sits in the Federal Council for the Carinthian SPÖ: “Today we have to set an example for this community that works beyond the time of grief.”