There was a public outcry after it emerged that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was discussing plans to mass deport migrants.
Tens of thousands of people gathered across Germany to protest far-right parties and their stance on immigration.
According to German media, people protested in several cities and small towns on Saturday, some holding placards that read “Fascism is not an option” and supporting the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Some people reportedly laughed at him.
The protests followed a backlash over revelations that AfD members had been meeting with far-right activists to discuss plans for mass deportations of foreigners.
Police said around 35,000 people marched in Germany’s financial capital, taking part in a call to “Defend Democracy – Frankfurt Against AfD”.
A similar number of people showed up in the northern city of Hannover, some carrying posters such as “Nazis out”.
Protests also took place in cities such as Braunschweig, Erfurt and Kassel, as well as in a number of small towns, mirroring daily mobilizations over the past week. Police said about 50,000 people demonstrated in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city, on Friday.
Demonstrations were called for in about 100 locations across Germany from Friday through the weekend, including in Berlin on Sunday.
Politicians, churches and Bundesliga coaches are calling on people to stand up to the AfD.
On January 10, a report by the Investigative Journalist Collective revealed that AfD members were meeting with other far-right activists to discuss deporting immigrants and “unassimilated nationals.”
Among the participants in the talks were Martin, a leader of the Austrian Identitarian movement who supports the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which claims there is a conspiracy by non-white immigrants to replace Europe’s “indigenous” white population;・Mr. Sellner was also included.
“An attack on our democracy”
News of the far-right rally sent shockwaves across Germany, months before three key regional elections in eastern Germany, where AfD support is strongest, and at a time when the group ranks second in national polls.
The anti-immigration party confirmed that its members were present at the meeting, but denied any involvement in the “immigration” project championed by Mr. Sellner. Co-leader Alice Weidel has parted ways with one of the advisers who took part in the meeting.
But leading politicians, including Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, who took part in last weekend’s demonstrations, said any plan to expel migrants or citizens amounted to “an attack on our democracy and, by extension, on all of us.” He called on “everyone to take a stand for unity, tolerance and a democratic Germany.”
Those in the country’s business community also expressed concern.
“If everything is true as reported, it’s absolutely disgusting,” Joe Kaeser, chairman of Siemens Energy’s supervisory board, said in an interview with Reuters published on Saturday.
Kaeser’s comments came after leaders of German companies including semiconductor maker Infineon and chemical maker Evonik expressed concerns earlier this week.
Kaeser highlighted the lessons from Germany’s history, warning of the damage to Germany’s image around the world and calling on German companies to publicly warn about the consequences.
