35,000 people in Frankfurt
Once again nationwide protests against right-wing extremism
January 20, 2024, 3:04 p.m
The protests against right-wing extremism and for democracy continue. Once again, people in numerous cities are being called upon to take to the streets. For the head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Haldenwang, all parties have now recognized the seriousness of the situation.
This weekend, people across Germany are once again called upon to demonstrate against right-wing extremism and xenophobia and for democracy. Tens of thousands have already taken to the streets across the country in similar protests in recent days. The demonstrations are mostly called by trade unions, parties and youth associations.
In Frankfurt According to police, around 35,000 people gathered today at a demonstration against right-wing extremism and the AfD. The event was very popular very quickly, said a police spokesman. The Römer as a meeting place does not offer enough space; the demonstration now extends from the Mainkai to the Liebfrauenberg. The mood among the demonstrators is peaceful.
Around 2,800 participants – significantly more than originally expected – also gathered in the morning Limburg. In Erfurt According to police and organizations, several thousand people came together. In Freiburg and Koblenz According to the police, there were around 5,000 participants each.
A demonstration in Hamburg had to be canceled on Friday evening due to the large number of people. One of the organizers cited safety concerns. The police spoke of 50,000 participants, the organizers of 80,000.
During the day, people want to take to the streets in Hanover, Magdeburg and Erfurt, among others. Protest marches and rallies are planned for Sunday in Berlin, Munich and Cologne.
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution welcomes demonstrations
The nationwide protests were triggered by reports from the media company Correctiv about a previously unknown meeting between right-wing extremists and politicians from the AfD and CDU. The former head of the right-wing extremist Identitarian movement in Austria, Martin Sellner, said he spoke about “remigration” there. When right-wing extremists use the term, they usually mean that large numbers of people of foreign origin should leave the country – even under duress.
Meanwhile, the President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution welcomed the numerous demonstrations. “It would be desirable if the silent majority of our population would take a clear position against extremism and anti-Semitism,” said authority chief Thomas Haldenwang to the “Westdeutsche Zeitung”. He continued: “And fortunately, many people are currently demonstrating against it.”
Democracy in Germany is in danger due to various developments. All centrist democratic parties have now recognized the seriousness of the situation, said the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. “You can also see this in the fact that the topic of dealing with the AfD is being discussed much more intensively than was the case a few months ago.” A ban on the AfD party is now being discussed. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the AfD as a suspected right-wing extremist case, which also allows the use of intelligence resources such as surveillance. The party is trying to defend itself against this using legal means.