-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.
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