- Multitudes protest against far-right extremism and advocate for democratic values.
A week prior to the state vote, numerous individuals filled the streets in Saxony, advocating against extreme right-wing beliefs and promoting a robust democracy. Organizers of two protests in Leipzig and Dresden claimed 11,000 attendees each, though eyewitnesses suggested smaller numbers. The authorities characterized both events as peaceful and initially refrained from disclosing attendee counts.
In Dresden, the activist groups "We're the Firewall Dresden" and "Heart Over Hate" orchestrated a rally at Theaterplatz, which was followed by a city-wide procession showcasing posters, banners, and flags.
Organizers' Objectives:
The objective was to send a powerful message in support of a vibrant society ahead of the state elections and encourage voting for democratic parties, they said. "The triumphs of extreme right-wing ideologies in the European elections and violence directed towards election campaigns and poster teams throughout Saxony clearly reveal that we must actively safeguard our democracy," they added.
The recent appearance of several hundred neo-Nazis at Bautzen's Christopher Street Day served as a reminder of the reported 5-12 years remaining before their influence takes hold, they warned.
Dresden's organizers were content with the turnout, surpassing their initial expectations. In the state capital, the victims of Solingen's terrorist attack were honored, while a reminder was issued to refrain from politicizing the violent act with its three fatalities.
Leipzig saw three rallies unite in a protest march through the city center under the slogan "Side by Side for Democracy and Human Rights".
Trade Unions Show Solidarity
The demonstrators received solidarity from trade unions such as Verdi. "We're tangled in a political storm. A great deal is at stake. Right-wing extremist sentiments must not become acceptable options in Saxony and Thuringia. Because they are toxic for society," Verdi chairman Frank Werneke told the German Press Agency. He asserted that as a union, they uphold an anti-fascist legacy and are committed to the fight against extreme right-wing ideologies.
"Social justice can only be achieved through respect and decency, not by means of hostility, hatred, and provocation," he concluded.
In response to the rise of extreme right-wing ideologies, the trade unions such as Verdi expressed their solidarity by stating, "Right-wing extremist sentiments must not become acceptable options in Saxony and Thuringia." Furthermore, the organizers of the rallies against extreme right-wing beliefs warned of the reported 5-12 years remaining before neo-Nazi influences become prominent.
