Hans Scholl

Hans Scholl was born September 22,1918. He was proof that even people that began to fall for fascist beliefs still have a chance to change and resist. Together with his sister Sophie and other friends, he was a founder of The White Rose resistance group in Germany. In 1933 he joined the Hitler youth, despite his father being liberal and against the Nazi regime. Over time he began to see the flaws of the fascists, and had contact with dissident youth groups. A boyfriend who had left the Hiterljugend admitted to their relationship and Hans was arrested, kept in solitary confinement, and interrogated. He admitted his queerness and was put on trial. The judge acquitted Hans based on his good standing in Hiterljugend. This series of events cemented Hans as a resistance member against the Nazis, with his trial for being gay the final nail in the coffin.

In 1942 The White Rose Group began distributing thousands of pamphlets against the Nazis and spray painting anti fascist graffiti around the city. Hans and the group were responsible for graffiti that said “Hitler is a mass murderer,” “Down with Hitler,” and crossed out swasticas. Their pamphlets contained details of the atrocities of concentration camps, and demanded a return to democracy. In 1943 Hans and Sophie were throwing leaflets into the courtyard of a university when they were spotted by a Nazi janitor. He reported them to the gestapo, and Hans and Sophie were arrested. After four days of interrogation, neither revealed a single other member of their group. One other member was also arrested because his name was on a draft leaflet. Sophie told the Nazis that Hans’ persecution due to his queerness was the main factor in both their rebellions against the regime. On February 22nd, 1943, the siblings were sent outside to be executed. Defiant to the end, they shared a cigarette, and Sophie’s last words were “The sun is still shining!” While Hans’ were “Long live freedom!” All three students were beheaded. After their murder, graffiti of “Their spirit lives!” appeared around the city.