Thousands join rival protests in German city
Thousands marched through a German city after racist violence flared up following the arrest of an Iraqi and a Syrian over a fatal stabbing.
Marchers demonstrated both for and against migrants in the eastern city of Chemnitz, Sky News reported.
There were outbreaks of violence a week ago triggered by the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in the stabbing of Daniel Hillig, a 35-year-old German-cuban.
Following the arrests, mobs attacked people they took to be foreigners, including an Afghan, a Syrian and a Bulgarian man.
The rallies on Saturday, which drew 8,000 people according to police estimates, ended peacefully although there was palpable tension at times.
Under German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s immigration policy, more than one million migrants and refugees have been allowed into Germany since 2015.
Around 4,500 far-right supporters from various movements including the far-right anti-immigration alternative for Germany (AFD) party and the anti-islam PEGIDA movement attended, according to police.
The far-right protesters marched holding large portraits of victims of attacks by what they claim are asylum seekers.
Some chanted “Merkel must go” and “We are the people” while waving German flags.
Some 3,500 marched in support of Merkel’s policy, carrying banners reading “Chemnitz is neither grey nor brown” and “Heart instead of hate”.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted in support of those marching against the farright supporters: “The Second World War started 79 years ago. Germany caused unimaginable suffering in Europe. If once again people are parading today in the streets making Nazi salutes, our past history forces us to resolutely defend democracy.”
One of the Greens’ leaders, Cem Ozdemir, tweeted a picture of himself with demonstrators and wrote: “We will not let right-wing extremists destroy our country and our democracy. Neither in Chemnitz, nor in Saxony nor anywhere in Germany. “Our constitution must prevail. We must defend it. Now!” There was a heavy police presence in the city, with forces from across Germany providing reinforcements.