"United in remembrance: Mannheim honors knife attack victims"

Protesters Gather for Large Demonstration - "United in remembrance: Mannheim honors knife attack victims"

People came together in Mannheim for a gathering to honor a police officer who was killed during a knife attack. The demonstration took place at the Old Market Square by the Neckar, where posters were displayed with messages like "Against hate and hatred" and "United we stand strong." The event was organized by the German Trade Union Confederation and other democratic partners, religious groups, and members of civil society.

On the previous Friday (31 May), a 25-year-old Afghan man stabbed five participants in a demo by the group Pax Europa and a police officer named Rouven Laur at the Mannheim marketplace. Sadly, the 29-year-old officer later passed away due to his injuries.

"Tribute to the fallen"

One participant shared, "We're here to support the family on this challenging day. This gathering allows us to give our tribute to the fallen." Someone else described the attack as a "wound that will not heal quickly." "The city will never forget this," they added. The city administration mentioned that around 2,500 people had signed up for the remembrance event.

Later that day, another rally organized by the "Mannheim against the Right" alliance was set to take place at the same location. Around 500 people had registered for this. Afterward, approximately 800 participants – the same number that registered – intended to walk to the Parade Square in protest of a planned AfD demonstration there. There was also a call for a counter-protest by Antifa.

AfD demonstration disallowed

The AfD is no longer permitted to demonstrate at the marketplace - a court ruling in favor of the city of Mannheim overturned a previous court decision that granted authorization for a demonstration at the crime scene.

Earlier that day, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann (Greens), and the Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl (CDU), had joined a memorial service for the police officer at the marketplace.

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1. Despite the court ruling, the AfD intended to hold a demonstration in Partner Square, prompting a counter-protest from the "Mannheim against the Right" alliance and Antifa near the Neckar in Germany.
2. The gathered demonstrators in Mannheim expressed their solidarity with the victims of the knife attack, echoing messages like "United we stand strong" and "Against hate and hatred."
3. The DGB and other democratic partners, religious groups, and civil society members joined forces to organize the remembrance event, attracting over 2,500 participants in Baden-Württemberg.
4. The attack by the 25-year-old Afghan man on the participants of Pax Europa and the police officer Rouven Laur led to a ban on AfD demonstrations near the crime scene in Mannheim, following public outrage and safety concerns.
5. The Extremism that surfaced in the form of the knife attack at the Old Market Square in Mannheim has prompted concern across Europe, causing a ripple effect in discussions about democracy and public safety.
6. Despite the tragedy, the city administration and its citizens are determined to reaffirm their commitment to democracy and unity in the face of extremism, sending a strong message to the world.
7. As Germany and Europe prepare for significant events such as soccer qualifications and EU events, the event in Mannheim serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining the sacred values of peace, democracy, and diversity, now more than ever.

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