TWIG - Juergen Kamm of Stuttgart, who runs a mail-order business selling t-shirts, music, books, and buttons with anti-Nazi slogans as part of a campaign to fight right-wing extremism, may face over $4,000 in fines for distributing materials that display a swastika. Despite the fact that the swastikas in question were displayed in the middle of a circle with a slash through them, prosecutors asserted that the 32 year-old entrepreneur and activist was breaking a law that has banned the symbol since World War II.

Judges agreed with the prosecutors, saying that any use of Nazi iconography, even in the context of protest, risks making it socially acceptable in Germany again. The Washington Post cited Judge Wolfgang Kuellner as saying: "The danger of familiarization is ever present. In particular, this mass-market business risked undermining its taboo status."

Kamm has appealed the decision and a number of politicians have come to his aid, saying that this form of protest must be allowed, particularly in light of the recent success of far-right political parties in entering the parliament of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania.

"This is an incredible mistake," said Claudia Roth, leader of the Green party, as reported by the Washington Post. "We have problems in Germany with the extreme right and anti-Semitism. It’s a terrible signal, not only to young people, but also to older people who fought against the Nazis. Are we criminalizing them?" In a display of solidarity with Kamm, she turned herself in to Stuttgart prosecutors for wearing the anti-Nazi paraphernalia.

Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries has called for a new law if Kamm does not win his appeal.