vigilante group
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vigilante group
A group of citizens who organize themselves without a state mandate in order to provide safety and order in their residential area, often through patrols. Such groups operate in a legal gray area.
Nach einer Serie von Einbrüchen gründeten einige Anwohner eine umstrittene Bürgerwehr.
After a series of break-ins, some residents founded a controversial vigilante group.
The word is made up of 'Bürger' (citizen) and 'Wehr' (defense). 'Wehr' is an old word for defense that you also find in 'Feuerwehr' (fire brigade). So a 'Bürgerwehr' is literally a 'defense group of citizens'.
Die Anwohner diskutierten über die Gründung einer Bürgerwehr.
The residents discussed the founding of a vigilante group.
The term 'Bürgerwehr' (vigilante group) often has a negative or critical connotation. It implies that citizens are taking the law into their own hands, which is legally problematic in Germany and controversially discussed.
Die Polizei warnt vor der Bildung von illegalen Bürgerwehren.
The police warn against the formation of illegal vigilante groups.
In connection with a 'Bürgerwehr' (vigilante group), the verbs 'gründen' (to found), 'bilden' (to form), or 'organisieren' (to organize) are often used, since it is an association of people.
Einige Nachbarn wollten eine Bürgerwehr gründen, aber die Mehrheit war dagegen.
Some neighbors wanted to found a vigilante group, but the majority were against it.
militia
A militia and a Bürgerwehr can both be armed groups outside the official armed forces. A Bürgerwehr, however, is organized primarily at the local level to protect and maintain order in its own residential area, while a Miliz can be more general or politically or ideologically oriented. Use „Bürgerwehr“ for local self-help.
Die Bürgerwehr patrouillierte nachts im Wohngebiet und achtete auf die Sicherheit der Anwohner.
The vigilante group patrolled the residential area at night and watched out for the residents’ safety.
Die Miliz unterstützte ihre politische Bewegung mit bewaffneten Einsätzen.
The militia supported its political movement through armed operations.
