Germany: Thousands protest AfD party conference in Saxony – DW – 01/11/2025
www.dw.com
Organizers said they expected more than 10,000 people to attend demonstrations in eastern Saxony state. The far-right Alternative for Germany party is polling in second place ahead of February's federal election.

Summary

Thousands gathered in Riesa, Saxony, to protest a two-day conference by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is polling second ahead of the February 23 federal elections.

Organizers expected 10,000 participants, with protests including highway blockades and planned disruptions of the event.

Police reported a calm situation but deployed drones and helicopters.

The AfD remains controversial, particularly in eastern Germany, where it has strong support despite being classified as a “suspected” extremist group by Germany’s intelligence agency.

  • fxomt@lemm.eeEnglish
    38·
    10 hours ago

    despite being classified as a “suspected” extremist group by Germany’s intelligence agency

    Those guys are literal neo-nazis and inspired a shithead to kill 6 and injure 299, how are they NOT an extremist group???

    • homoludens@feddit.orgEnglish
      23·
      10 hours ago

      Politicians are afraid it might make them unpopular among the racist part of the population.

      • fxomt@lemm.eeEnglish
        16·
        9 hours ago

        No disrespect to you, or other germans, but some of you guys are just not ashamed enough of your history. The AfD are socially acceptable nazis and a lot of things they say shouldn’t just fly by. ffs, they deny/joke, or are even proud about the holocaust.

        And can’t forget the anti-immigration stance, seeing us as subhumans, “Deutschland den Deutschen!” they chant while killing their own for their violent ideologies. The fact these guys are actually allowed to run is insane to me.

        It used to be jews, now it’s arabs along with them, too.

        Some people forget history too fast.

        • homoludens@feddit.orgEnglish
          13·
          8 hours ago

          I agree with the sentiment, but I don’t think being “ashamed” is the way to go - I only feel shame for things I have done.

          But otherwise I agree. They just held their party convention with the speaker being flanked by 8 German flags on the left on 8 on the right - so 88. And held up signs “Alice for Deutschland” (one of their leaders was convicted for using the SA slogan “Alles für Deutschland”). So yeah, they’re fascists and ~20% of voters want to vote for them. It’s disgusting.

          • fxomt@lemm.eeEnglish
            3·
            8 hours ago

            I couldn’t think of another word to describe it, but the quote “Those who cannot remember the Past, are Condemned To repeat it” is probably a better way to put it in terms.

            They just held their party convention with the speaker being flanked by 8 German flags on the left on 8 on the right - so 88

            These guys really have no shame, huh? fucking animals, i’d like to see them when they’re the victims of racism.

        • BlemboTheThird@lemmy.caEnglish
          21·
          5 hours ago

          Less forgotten, more intentionally misinterpreted. They penalize as antisemites anyone critical of the state of Israel, while simultaneously allowing this political party to exist. Assholes.

          • fxomt@lemm.eeEnglish
            2·
            5 hours ago

            Shrödinger’s antisemite: they hate and love jews, and a state is chosen once in a conversation about Israel.