Release
The German reaction to the Rosenstrasse protest was limited by the fact that the demonstration remained peaceful. The only thing the SS could do was attempt to disperse the crowds by intimidating them but this tactic ultimately failed. Though the protest was not violent, it still presented a threat to the Nazi Party. One main principle of National Socialism was that popular opinion was an important component of power. Because the foundation of the Nazi regime was based on controlling public opinion, popular protest against the party presented a dangerous threat to their authority. Therefore, once people had begun regularly gathering at Rosenstrasse, the Nazi Party had two choices: break up the protest physically or release the prisoners. To act against the peaceful protestors would have called even more attention to the protest, which would have further undermined the authority of the Nazis. When faced with this difficult choice, the Nazi Party chose the safe route and eventually released the prisoners in order to soothe the public unrest.
Because of its success in securing the release of the prisoners, the Rosenstrasse protest is remembered and celebrated as a challenge to Nazi authority by ordinary German citizens, Jewish and Aryan alike.