Cologne, Germany • Amid widespread shock over a string of sexual assaults in this cosmopolitan German city on New Year's Eve, the response was divided Wednesday: blame the police or chide the victims, deport criminal foreigners or prevent migrants from entering the country in the first place.
The reaction in Cologne reflects a broader debate as Germany struggles to reconcile law and order with its new-found role as a haven for those seeking a better life.
Police descriptions of the perpetrators as of "Arab or North African origin" were seized on by those calling for an end to Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy toward people fleeing violence and persecution — even as authorities warned they don't know if any of the culprits are refugees.
Adding to the controversy were remarks by Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker, suggesting that women can protect themselves from strange men on the streets by keeping them "more than an arm's length" away — words that were widely ridiculed on social media Wednesday for putting the onus on the victims.
At least 106 women have come forward to file criminal complaints of sexual assault and robbery during the New Year's Eve festivities, authorities said, including two accounts of rape.
The attacks were seized on by opponents of Germany's welcoming stance toward those fleeing conflict.
"This is where Merkel's irresponsible immigration policy will lead us," declared Thorsten Craemer of the far-right fringe party ProNRW, which staged a small rally in front of Cologne's main train station, the site of the attacks. "There will be battles for resources, confrontations far worse than what we've experienced on New Year's Eve."
His fellow activists were far outnumbered by counter-demonstrators shouting them down with slogans such as "East or West, down with the Nazi plague."
Germany was one of the few European countries to welcome the influx of refugees last year. Many Germans cheered as weary Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis stepped off trains in Germany last summer and tens of thousands have volunteered to help the new arrivals.
That euphoria has given way to the realization that integrating the nearly 1.1 million people who came to Germany last year will be a long and difficult task, even as many Germans have been heartened by Merkel's mantra, "We can do this."
Police initially failed to mention the assaults in their report the next morning, describing the festivities as "largely peaceful."
Cologne police Chief Wolfgang Albers acknowledged the mistake but dismissed widespread criticism that officers reacted too slowly in protecting the women.
"When the situation became tense in front of the train station — there were a thousand men who were completely out of control — the police cleared the square," he told public broadcaster ARD.
Witnesses told a different story. German media quoted dozens of women who said they were followed by men who groped them, tried to pull off their clothes and stole valuables.
In this Dec. 31, 2015 picture, persons gather at the Cologne, Germany, main station. German police said Wednesday Jan. 6, 2016 that they are investigating whether a string of sexual assaults and thefts at New Year is linked to a known criminal network. The assaults in Cologne last week have prompted outrage in Germany and a fresh debate about immigration, after police said the perpetrators appeared to be of "Arab or North African origin." The events in Cologne involved a crowd of around a thousand men. Police say at least 90 criminal complaints were filed, and that some men in the crowd formed smaller groups and surrounded women. (Markus Boehm/dpa via AP)
In this Dec. 31, 2015 picture, persons gather at the Cologne, Germany, main station. German police said Wednesday Jan. 6, 2016 that they are investigating whether a string of sexual assaults and thefts at New Year is linked to a known criminal network. The assaults in Cologne last week have prompted outrage in Germany and a fresh debate about immigration, after police said the perpetrators appeared to be of "Arab or North African origin." The events in Cologne involved a crowd of around a thousand men. Police say at least 90 criminal complaints were filed, and that some men in the crowd formed smaller groups and surrounded women. (Markus Boehm/dpa via AP)
The North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Ralf Jaeger answers questions during a news conference in Duesseldorf, Germany, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2016. Police in Germany said Wednesday they are investigating whether a string of sexual assaults and thefts during New Year's celebrations in Cologne is linked to a known criminal network in the nearby city of Duesseldorf. The assaults last week have prompted outrage in Germany and a fresh debate about immigration, after police said the perpetrators appeared to be of "Arab or North African origin." (Monika Skolimowska/dpa via AP)
People protest in front of the main station in Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. The poster reads: "No to Racism, No to Sexism". More women have come forward alleging they were sexually assaulted and robbed during New Years celebrations in the German city of Cologne, as police faced mounting criticism for their handling of the incident. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
Police officers patrol in front of the main station of Cologne, Germany, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. More women have come forward alleging they were sexually assaulted and robbed during New Years celebrations in the German city of Cologne, as police faced mounting criticism for their handling of the incident. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
Protesters of the right-wing PRO NRW party, front, guarding policemen, center, and counter demonstrators, background, stand in front of the main station in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. More women have come forward alleging they were sexually assaulted and robbed during New Years celebrations in the German city of Cologne, as police faced mounting criticism for their handling of the incident. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
Police spokesman Christoph Gilles speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. More women have come forward alleging they were sexually assaulted and robbed during New Years celebrations in the German city of Cologne, as police faced mounting criticism for their handling of the incident. Gilles said police were well prepared on the night, but "surprised" by the scale and aggression of the attacks. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
26-year-old student Antonia Rabente a Cologne resident who was not among the victims, attends an interview with The Associated Press in front of the main station in Cologne, Western Germany, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 where she spoke about the attacks during the New Year's celebrations . She said the mood in the city was divided. and that on one hand there's a feeling that what happened is wrong and many people concerned about this. But where people are split is in how to respond, She thinks it's important to keep the focus on the women who were affected. They need to be the focus of attention now and not misused for attacks on the right to asylum. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
A woman protests against sexism outside the cathedral in Cologne, Germany, Tuesday Jan. 5, 2016. Poster reads " Mrs. Merkel. Where are you? What do you say? It's scary". German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced outrage Tuesday at a series of sexual assaults in the western city of Cologne on New Year's Eve, saying the perpetrators need to be found as soon as possible. Merkel called Cologne's mayor Henriette Reker to express her concern about the assaults, which took place around Cologne's main train station, next to the city's famous cathedral. (Oliver Berg/dpa via AP)
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