It's Far Right Versus The Rest In Germany As Demand To Deport Immigrants Gathers Steam
Close to 1 lakh people had to cancel an anti-Far Right protest in Munich due to security concerns, police said.
Many attendees in Munich carried signs and banners drawing parallels between the AfD and the Nazis, rejecting their anti-immigrant rhetoric. Slogans such as "No tolerance for intolerance" and "AfD - a nightmare for Germany" were among the expressions seen.
In Cologne, organizers estimated that 70,000 people participated in the demonstration against the AfD and the far right, featuring the presence of several well-known local musicians. Police in Cologne considered the crowd estimate realistic.
In the northern port city of Bremen, police estimated that between 35,000 and 40,000 people marched in a rally against the far right, supported by trade unions, political parties, local companies, and the Bundesliga football club Werder Bremen.
Chants heard at the demonstration included "All of Bremen hates the AfD" and "All together against fascism."
Further protests are anticipated in various German cities, including Cottbus, Dresden, and Chemnitz in the east.
In Berlin, a significant crowd is expected, as an alliance of different organizations has called on people to gather in front of the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, from 4 pm (1500 GMT).
While police are anticipating only 1,000 participants, past demonstrations have far exceeded initial estimates, and Berlin is known for its active protest scene.
Germany has witnessed protests for over a week following the release of an investigative report revealing that AfD members had attended a meeting of far-right extremists in November.
At the meeting in Potsdam outside Berlin, participants discussed plans to repatriate asylum seekers and migrants deemed not assimilated enough, even those with German passports.
The report by investigative outlet Correctiv, published on January 10, has stirred controversy in Germany, where mainstream political parties are increasingly concerned about the surge in public support for the AfD.
The party is polling strongly in three former East German states set to hold regional elections later this year.
At the Potsdam meeting, far-right extremists discussed topics like "remigration," a term often used in far-right circles as a euphemism for the expulsion of immigrants and minorities.
Anti-AfD demonstrations have already drawn massive numbers. At least 300,000 people joined protests on Saturday, according to police and organizers, with roughly 35,000 people attending rallies in Frankfurt and Hanover alone.
With Agencies inputs
