Update
Habeck: Encouraging sign
Protests continue – tens of thousands are once again taking a stand against the right
January 21, 2024, 1:52 p.m
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The weekend is dedicated to the fight against right-wing extremism and the AfD. Yesterday, hundreds of thousands of people across the country followed the numerous calls. And today tens of thousands are once again setting an example for democracy and tolerance.
The nationwide protests against the right-wing and the AfD as well as for democracy do not stop. After hundreds of thousands of participants nationwide on Saturday, tens of thousands are on the streets again this Sunday. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier viewed the rallies as a sign of strength. The demonstrators are very different people, but have one thing in common, he explained in a video message. “You are now standing up against misanthropy and right-wing extremism,” he continued. “These people encourage us all.”
Steinmeier called for an alliance of all democrats. The future of democracy does not depend on the loudness of its opponents, but on the strength of those who defend democracy. “Let us show that we are stronger together,” said the head of state.
In Cologne According to the police, “certainly several tens of thousands of people” came together for a demonstration march from the Deutzer Werft through the city center and a demonstration that started a little later. More than 50 parties, organizations and initiatives from the “Cologne stands across” alliance called for the protests. The organizers spoke of more than 50,000 participants – and more on the way. The rally entitled “Protect Democracy, Fight AfD” is also supported by the bands Kasalla, Höhner, Cat Ballou, Bläck Föös, Paveier and Brings. The bands wrote on their fan pages in advance: “We hope that we are all loud. And it becomes clear: this far and no further.”
Mayor Henriette Reker appealed to the demo participants to enter into dialogue against hatred and misanthropy. “We are the ones who defend democracy. Speak to those who attack democracy.” Demos are also planned in many other cities in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In Bremen According to the police, between 35,000 and 40,000 people gathered under the motto “Loud against the right”. The organizers spoke of around 50,000 participants. The gathering in the Domshof spread to the adjacent areas such as the market square, the police said. Buses and trams would have to take detours because they couldn’t get through the crowds in the old town. “The whole of Bremen hates the AfD,” shouted chants during the rally. “All together against fascism.” Parties, unions, companies and Bundesliga soccer team Werder Bremen called for participation in the meeting. Two private individuals registered for the demo in Bremen.
In Munich Thousands came together – the police were initially unable to provide more precise information about the number of participants. Starting from the Victory Gate, the participants wanted to march through the city after a rally.
In Offenbach Around 2,000 people took to the streets against right-wing extremism. The action under the motto “Demo against the right – no foothold for fascism” started peacefully, as the police announced. The city also advertised participation in the campaign on its homepage.
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck viewed the demonstrations as an encouraging sign for democracy. “Democracy lives from the people who stand up for it,” said the Green politician to the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. It is impressive to see that many people are now “taking to the streets and showing the flag for our democracy.”
According to counts by the police and the organizers, a total of at least 300,000 people demonstrated nationwide yesterday, Saturday. According to police and organizers, there were 35,000 people in Frankfurt am Main and Hanover alone.
Recently there were large demonstrations against the right in many cities across Germany after a meeting of right-wing radicals in Potsdam became known in November. AfD politicians, individual members of the CDU and the very conservative Union of Values and Martin Sellner as the former head of the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement in Austria also took part.