Friedrichshain defends itself: Hundreds show their colors against right-wing demo!

Friedrichshain defends itself: Hundreds show their colors against right-wing demo!

On Saturday there was considerable tension in Berlin-Friedrichshain at a registered right-wing extremist demonstration with the motto “For law and order: against left-wing extremism and politically motivated violence”. The gathering, which was originally supposed to take a route through Rigaer Straße, started late at around 3 p.m. at Ostkreuz train station and was quickly accompanied by a strong counter-protest organized by numerous left-wing groups. The police expected resistance and blockades from counter-demonstrators who had gathered in large numbers, estimated at between 2,500 and 3,000 people, to counter the neo-Nazi march, according to information from the Berlin newspaper.

Demonstration and clashes

The right-wing extremist rally was severely understaffed with around 60 participants compared to the number of counter-demonstrators. There were sit-ins in several places that blocked the route of the right-wing demonstration movement, as well as clashes with the police. However, officials have taken extensive measures to clear the blockades and protect the right-wing demonstration. Several smaller clashes occurred, with pyrotechnics and bottles also being used. The police report from Daily Mirror confirmed that arrests had been made on both the right-wing side and the counter-demonstrators.

The right-wing march was finally broken off early around 3:50 p.m. and the remaining participants were escorted to the Frankfurter Allee subway station under police protection. There they were able to travel on the subway while the entire neighborhood was on alert and many residents protested from windows and balconies. Amid the protests, a Berlin Left MP, Ferat Koçak, was also present and actively participated in the blockades, underlining the determination of the counter-demonstrators.