Upcoming Anti-Right Protests: Dates, Locations, and Expected Attendance

A significant wave of protests advocating for democracy has recently culminated in an impressive display of public sentiment across Germany. Over the past weekend, hundreds of thousands of individuals took to the streets nationwide to voice their opposition to right-wing extremism and promote democratic values.

Since a major protest against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party meeting in Riesa, which saw participation from approximately 10,000 individuals, the cumulative attendance at demonstrations opposing right-wing ideologies has exceeded 800,000, according to an analysis by the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND). This figure is based on police estimates where available, while organizers often report even higher numbers.

The peak of this recent wave of protests occurred on the last weekend, when over half a million individuals gathered in various cities. The most significant turnout was reported in Berlin, where police estimated 160,000 participants, although organizers claimed the number was closer to 250,000. Other large gatherings took place in cities including Hamburg, Stuttgart, Regensburg, and Saarbrücken, each attracting over 20,000 individuals. In total, protests were held in over 60 cities across the country.

The demonstrations have expanded their focus beyond just the AfD, now also addressing the actions of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The CDU faced backlash for passing a migration policy proposal in the Bundestag with the support of the AfD, prompting many protesters to advocate for diversity, democracy, and a rejection of hate speech.

Looking ahead, the number of participants in upcoming protests is expected to rise significantly. More than 100 demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday, February 8, according to the platform demokrateam.org. This surge in activism echoes a similar wave of protests witnessed last year, when approximately four million people demonstrated for democracy and against right-wing extremism from January to April.

These protests were initially sparked by a report from the research network Correctiv, which revealed a meeting between right-wing financiers and politicians from the AfD and CDU in Potsdam, raising concerns about the growing influence of extremist views in mainstream politics.