Against AfD, Musk & Trump
Tens of thousands demonstrate against the right – a sea of lights against xenophobia
In many major German cities, numerous people took to the streets on Saturday to demonstrate against right-wing extremism and the AfD.
In several German cities on Saturday, organizations called for protests against right-wing extremism and the AfD, which in some cases has proven to be right-wing extremist.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to show a “sea of lights” as a sign of cohesion and to protest against a shift to the right. People of all ages, including many families with children, gathered at the rally, which was called for by an alliance around the campaign organization Campact, Parents Against the Right and Fridays for Future. The organizers spoke of around 100,000 participants, according to police estimates there were between 30,000 and 35,000 people.
Significantly more people took part in a large demonstration in Cologne than expected. The Cologne police put the number of participants on Saturday afternoon at “well over 20,000 people”. The organizers had initially registered 5,000 participants, but on Saturday they spoke of “over 70,000 people” who had “taken to the streets together for democracy in Cologne”.
Demos against the right also in Halle and Aschaffenburg
In Halle an der Saale, where the AfD officially launched its election campaign, the police counted 9,100 counter-demonstrators. According to initial information from the authorities, things remained largely peaceful here too, and there were no large-scale blockades like those at the AfD party conference in Riesa two weeks ago.
Thousands of people also demonstrated in Aschaffenburg. According to the police, 3,000 participants came to the demonstration called for by the “Aschaffenburg is colorful” alliance. There was singing, everything remained peaceful. The police reported no incidents. Even at smaller gatherings things remained quiet.
Days after the knife attack that left two dead, the mourning in Aschaffenburg continues. In the afternoon, large numbers gathered again in the park where a small child and a man had been stabbed. The sympathy is still great, said a police spokesman. Flowers were laid and candles were put up.
The central funeral service is planned for this Sunday. In addition to Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) is also expected.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
