Hundreds of Thousands Demonstrate Against Right-Wing Extremism Across Germany

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered across Germany this weekend to protest against right-wing extremism and advocate for diversity.

The largest demonstration took place in Munich, where approximately 250,000 people assembled at the Theresienwiese under the slogan “Democracy Needs You.” Organisers estimated the turnout at over 320,000. According to reports, the event proceeded without incident.

Mass Demonstrations in Major Cities

The movement, which has seen a surge in participation in recent weeks, was marked by rallies in several German cities. In Munich, the initiative “München ist bunt” (Munich is colourful) stated that their goal was to send a strong message in support of diversity, human dignity, and democracy ahead of the upcoming Bundestag elections. They warned that “hate, exclusion, and far-right groups pose a danger to our democracy.”

In Hannover, an estimated 24,000 people attended a demonstration at Opernplatz. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) addressed the crowd, condemning recent political developments as a “breach of taboos” and calling for continuous vigilance in defending democracy. “The door to the far right must remain closed,” Pistorius stated. His comments came in response to a Bundestag vote last week in which two motions by the CDU/CSU were passed with support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Meanwhile, a proposed tightening of migration laws was rejected.

Protests Against AfD in Leipzig and Other Cities

In Leipzig, around 1,000 people demonstrated against an AfD campaign event at the Alte Börse in the city centre. The protest remained peaceful, although police intervened to prevent an attempt to block access to the venue. AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla was scheduled to speak at the gathering.

Elsewhere, Rostock saw 3,000 people take to the streets under the slogan “All Against Fascism – Rostock Stands Together!” The protest moved through the city centre, underscoring widespread opposition to right-wing extremism.

Large Turnouts in Bremen and Other States

Bremen hosted one of the larger protests, with around 35,000 participants convening at the Domshof. The event was initially planned for the city’s marketplace but had to be relocated due to unexpectedly high attendance.

Demonstrations also took place in Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, where a combined 25,000 people marched against the perceived shift towards the right. In Gießen, 13,000 demonstrators participated in a march following a rally, exceeding initial expectations of 1,000 attendees. Meanwhile, 8,000 people assembled in Darmstadt.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, several cities saw protests against hate and right-wing extremism. Dortmund’s demonstration drew approximately 2,900 participants, although organisers claimed the number was closer to 5,000. Similar events were held in Wuppertal, Aachen, and Duisburg.

A Nationwide Movement

The scale of this weekend’s demonstrations underscores growing public concern over the influence of right-wing extremism in Germany. The movement has gained momentum following reports of far-right networks and concerns over potential cooperation between mainstream conservative parties and the AfD.

With protests continuing in multiple cities, demonstrators are calling for vigilance in protecting democratic values and resisting any normalisation of extremist ideologies. As Germany approaches the Bundestag elections, the issue of far-right politics remains at the forefront of national debate.

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