Tens of thousands protest: Cologne shows the flag against the AfD!

Tens of thousands protest: Cologne shows the flag against the AfD!

There's really something going on in Germany in June 2025, and it's about a topic that affects many people: the demonstrations against right-wing extremism and hatred. Today, June 28th, actions are taking place in various cities to take a stand against the AfD, which has been classified as right-wing extremist by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. According to news.de, the majority of Germans, namely 67%, cannot avoid seeing the AfD as a threat to democracy to consider.

There are demonstrations all over Germany today, with tens of thousands of people gathering to stand up for democracy and against discrimination and anti-Semitism. Things will be particularly exciting in Cologne, where the motto is “No AfD in Quadrath-Ichendorf!” many participants are expected. In the large city of Düsseldorf, the police counted up to 100,000 people who protested under the motto "Against the AfD - We are not silent. We do not look away. We act!" gathered, and a strong signal was also sent in Osnabrück with 25,000 to 30,000 participants. Among those present there was Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), who linked the impassioned warning against the AfD with a reference to the Weimar Republic. ZDFHeute describes how the protests are spreading in many cities and how numerous high-ranking politicians are providing support.

Diverse events and cohesion

The planned events are as varied as the participants themselves. Exchange is encouraged, from workshops to readings to discussion groups and lectures. And what else is planned? Many online events enrich the program, such as a discussion on the subcultural struggle against modern patriarchy that took place on June 18th. It turns out that a whole network is coming together to raise the voice against right-wing extremism. Accordingly, Deutschlandfunk reports from rallies across Germany. In Bremen, for example, the “Bremer Alliance Against the Right” called for demonstrations and the people in Schleswig-Holstein also found numerous opportunities to make their mark.

Recently, over 900,000 people have come together for demonstrations. These nationwide protests are not only a snapshot in time, but also commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, which once again underlines the urgency and importance of the situation. In the next few weeks there will be elections in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia, where the AfD is performing strongly according to surveys. It is therefore not surprising that the protests are also linked to the recently revealed meeting of radical right-wingers.

A society sounds the alarm

People are taking to the streets, not just to express themselves, but to ensure that the values ​​of solidarity and humanity are not lost. In numerous places, from Lübeck to smaller towns like Altentreptow, the message is clear: No tolerance for right-wing extremism! A strong signal is being sent everywhere that the cohesion of society is unbroken. Especially in the last few days, many participants have shown up, including families of all ages, which underlines the relevance of the movement.

The nationwide demonstrations are an impressive example of how civil society is able to send a clear signal against hatred and incitement. With this commitment, society has taken a clear position: right-wing extremism has no place in Germany.