After a meeting of right-wing activists and extremists in Potsdam became known, resistance also formed in Thuringia. Two alliances have called for demonstrations against the AfD and right-wing extremism in Jena and Erfurt on Friday and Saturday. According to the “Gera Gegen Rechts” campaign alliance, there will be a rally against the AfD in Zwötzen this Thursday evening.
It is now important to take a stand and stand up as a civil society, said the organizers of the planned rally in Jena. Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Left) and Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD) are also expected in the Saale city.
The AfD’s parallels to National Socialism are becoming increasingly obvious. Under the guise of a seemingly democratic party, the AfD’s goal is to abolish democracy, according to the Jena call from associations, unions, youth organizations and clubs. The right-wing fomented a climate of fear and hatred and opposed the constitution. According to the city, several hundred participants are expected at the demo on the Jena market square under the motto “Defend Democracy”.
Around 3,000 participants are expected to attend the demonstration by the Erfurt alliance “On Your Places” on Saturday on Cathedral Square. The rally’s motto is “Never again is now. You have to do anti-fascism yourself.” The alliance appealed to all people in Thuringia to question the AfD’s agenda and work to preserve democracy. The Thuringian regional association of the AfD is classified as “certainly right-wing extremist” by the state Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
A spokeswoman for the alliance explained: “Right-wing extremists and their parliamentary arm – the AfD – are planning the deportation of millions of fellow human beings without any shame. This must also wake up the last of us.”
Last week, the media company Correctiv reported on the previously unknown meeting between right-wing extremists and politicians from the AfD and CDU in a Potsdam villa on November 25th. The former head of the right-wing extremist Identitarian movement in Austria, Martin Sellner, said he spoke about “remigration” there. When right-wing extremists use the term, they usually mean that large numbers of people of foreign origin should leave the country – even under duress.
As a result of reports about the meeting, thousands of people have demonstrated against the AfD in several German cities in recent days. Demonstrations have also been announced nationwide this weekend.
