This incident occurred during a school trip to the former Nazi extermination camp, underscoring the gravity of the students' actions.

The students posed with the so-called White Power salute, a gesture linked to far-right groups, which sparked outrage on social media.

Following the incident, the Saxony state office for schools has initiated a police investigation after a report was filed on April 14, 2025.

On March 13, 2025, four ninth-grade students from Görlitz, Germany, were photographed making a far-right extremist salute at the Auschwitz concentration camp memorial.

This incident was confirmed by a spokesperson from the Saxon State Office for School and Education and was initially reported by 'Tag24' and 'Bild'.

The White Power salute has gained popularity in far-right circles across Europe and North America in recent years.

In response to the incident, the principal of Scultetus Oberschule met with the students and their parents, resulting in disciplinary actions including community service.

The principal stated that the students expressed remorse for their actions, and no previous incidents of far-right activity have been reported at the school.

Similar incidents have occurred at Holocaust memorials, highlighting a troubling trend of far-right behavior among youth.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has noted that this salute has been acknowledged as a serious symbol of right-wing extremism since 2019.

The photo of the salute was posted on Instagram by one of the students, leading to a police report and an investigation after it was shared by a Dresden anti-fascist group.

The gesture made by the students is recognized as the 'White Power salute,' which symbolizes white supremacy but is not illegal in Germany, unlike the Nazi salute.