Zug Prize for Civil Courage awarded to man who intervened in altercation

The 2019 Zug Prize for Civil Courage has been awarded to Ermano Bassi, who intervened in an altercation on Bundesplatz in the city last summer.

It was shortly before midnight on 3 August last year that two groups of young people were attacking each other verbally. It was when Bassi noticed how one of the young men pushed a woman to the ground and began kicking her handbag that the 64-year-old intervened.

Showing much courage, he stood up to the attacker and protected the teenage woman, as one witness reported to the police. In doing so, the hotel manager himself was struck on the face. Fortunately, the assailant was subsequently able to be apprehended by police.

The Zug Prize for Civil Courage, which comes with CHF 1,000, is funded by the canton with different municipalities involved each year. This year it was the turn of Menzingen, hence this is where the prize was awarded and hence the presence of local councillor Barbara Beck-Iselin (third from the left in the photograph). Bassi’s wife, (on the extreme left) was also present on the occasion.

The Department of Public Safety, headed by Villiger (on the right), said it was important to demonstrate civil courage, though no-one is expected to put themselves in danger. Indeed, anyone who dials 117 in such situations has already done the most important thing.

What is also important is to administer first aid where necessary and to make a mental note of the description of any assailants and the route they took to flee the scene.

If you come across a situation as Bassi did, talk to other people in the area who may have noticed things, too, and speak with them. Perhaps they might be prepared to intervene, too. It is better to get involved with others than to act alone, but, as mentioned, not to put oneself at risk of physical attack; there is no sense in adding to the number of victims.

If possible, make a note of who did or said what first. If you feel you cannot intervene yourself, do not walk away, but stay and help the victim. Do not hesitate to call 117. As a witness, any information you can provide the police with is always appreciated, one sole seemingly insignificant detail, perhaps, helping to identify the culprits.