Anti-far-right protests swept across Germany over the weekend, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to oppose extremism and champion diversity. Munich saw the largest turnout, with police estimating around 250,000 participants, while organizers reported a crowd of over 320,000. The demonstration received support from various organizations, including Bayern Munich Football Club, the Church Foundation, and the Munich Film Festival.
Protesters carried banners reading “Democracy Needs You,” underscoring the values of diversity, human dignity, and solidarity. The organization “Colorful Munich,” which helped organize the demonstration, warned of the far right’s threat to German democracy and the dangers of hatred and exclusion. Micky Wenngatz, the association’s head, declared, “If democracy is under attack by far-right extremists, it is up to all of us to defend it.” She also emphasized that the Union faction’s position would determine whether the Alternative for Germany (AfD) remains politically isolated or is treated like any other party.
In Hanover, tens of thousands joined an anti-far-right demonstration, with 24,000 protesters gathering at Opernplatz to demand a new firewall against far-right extremism and advocate for diversity. The protest was partially organized by the initiative “Grandmothers Against the Right” (Omas Gegen Rechts). Meanwhile, leftist groups staged additional protests in other locations.
Similar demonstrations were held across several German cities. In Rostock, 3,000 people marched under the slogan “Everyone Against Fascism – Rostock Stands United”. In Bremen, 35,000 demonstrators gathered to oppose far-right extremism. Thousands also participated in protests in Darmstadt, Hesse, Dortmund, and Duisburg. Meanwhile, in Leipzig, police prevented some protesters from reaching an AfD campaign event.
The protests came in response to the Bundestag vote on the Union faction’s immigration proposal, which gained backing from AfD lawmakers but ultimately failed to secure a majority. Union chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz faced widespread criticism from politicians over his stance on the issue.
Germany has witnessed a wave of anti-far-right protests following the Bundestag’s debate on immigration and asylum, including a massive demonstration in Berlin that drew nearly 250,000 people. Similar protests have erupted across the country.
The latest protests erupt just days before the general elections on November 23, with AfD currently trailing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) in opinion polls, ranking second.
