Community reimagined - Multitudes gather in Cologne to advocate for a democratic continent.
Thousands upon thousands of people of various ages converged on the streets in the week leading up to the European elections, as declared by the organizers, demanding a democratic Europe. The organizers claimed that about 18,000 people came, while the police said there were 10,000. The movements "Arsch huh" and "Köln stellt sich quer" called for the protest on Saturday at the Deutzer Werft in Cologne. Numerous artists and speakers graced the occasion, including the bands Höhner and Paveier, the cabaret artist Wilfried Schmickler, and the chairperson of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), Yasmin Fahimi.
"Article 1 of the Basic Law 'the dignity of man is inviolable' matters, and we want total diversity in this nation," Fahimi shared during her speech. The protest passed off peacefully, based on an account by a dpa photographer. On the posters, expressions were seen pleading for a ban on the AfD. "The rise of right-wing and right-populist parties poses a major danger to the political and social foundations and human rights in Europe," the organizers' proclamation stated. "Considerable voter turnout from those who support democratic parties signifies a robust and democratic Europe."
The organizers specifically urged young voters to vote - since for the first time, 16- or 17-year-olds are now eligible to vote in the European election.
