On Sunday evening, the people of Munich made an impressive statement against the spreading right-wing extremism in Germany: tens of thousands of them illuminated the Theresienwiese in the darkness, creating the sea of lights that almost 100 different groups, clubs and organizations from civil society had hoped for who called for this demonstration.
The police estimated the number of participants who had gathered below the Bavaria at 75,000 to 100,000, the organizers of the “Fridays for Future” alliance even spoke of 300,000. The crowd in the darkness was that simple Air cannot be counted – even if drone photos the day after the demonstration give an impression of the extent of the crowds in the southern part of Theresienwiese.
“Munich, you are showing your best side right now,” enthused the keynote speaker Düzen Tekkal from the stage. The TV journalist and human rights activist from Berlin received applause several times when she emphasized the diversity of this country and called for solidarity against the AfD and its hate slogans: “There is no freedom in hate, that’s why we are standing up here today.” On behalf of all people with a migration background, the Kurdish and Yazidi woman thanked the participants for their support these days.
Bavaria with heart: “Munich, you’re showing your best side right now,” enthuses the keynote speaker Düzen Tekkal from the stage.
(Photo: Leonhard Simon/Getty Images)
The motto “Never again is now” can be found on many signs.
(Photo: Lukas Barth/AFP)
The reason for this and many other rallies that have been taking place across the country for weeks is research by Correctiv and Greenpeace, which uncovered a secret meeting of right-wing extremists and AfD politicians in Potsdam. Plans were discussed there to expel people with a migration background from the Federal Republic if the AfD took over government, even if they had a German passport.