In Dresden on Saturday, around 3000 counter-protesters faced off against a march of about 2000 right-wing extremists marking the anniversary of the 1945 bombing. Police separated the groups and used pepper spray during scuffles, initiating several investigations. The events proceeded peacefully overall without direct confrontations.
The right-wing extremist march in Dresden took place shortly after the anniversary of the city's destruction by Allied bombing raids on February 13, 1945. At that time, up to 25,000 people were killed according to a historians' commission. Right-wing extremists regularly use the event to relativize Germany's war guilt.
As early as the morning, three counter-protest marches with several hundred participants each started from Neustadt and Südvorstadt, leading to the rally at Postplatz. Additional gatherings formed along the route of the so-called 'mourning march.' An estimated 3000 people joined the counter-protest, while the right-wing extremist group had about 2000 participants. Police did not release official figures.
In the afternoon, the right-wing march began at Dresden-Mitte station and concluded after one and a half hours with a rally at the starting point. Police reported an undisturbed course but noted violations of the assembly law, including carrying protective gloves and pepper spray. Nine investigations were initiated for this, and another for using symbols of unconstitutional organizations.
Counter-protesters repeatedly positioned themselves along the route and chanted slogans like 'Nationalism out of our heads.' Earlier, some attempted to block the path with sit-ins, leading to scuffles with police. Officers used pepper spray to clear barriers. Three proceedings followed for breach of the peace and assault on police officers, as policemen were attacked and injured.
Police deployed 2200 officers, supported by colleagues from Brandenburg, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and the federal police. Two water cannons, a clearing vehicle, a mounted unit, and a drone ensured security. Police spokesman Thomas Geithner said: 'We had large train arrivals from Leipzig and also from the Chemnitz area, which worked well.' The operation continued into the evening due to a Dynamo Dresden football match.
Politicians called for a historically accurate assessment of the bombings and urged remembrance of all victims of the war and the Nazi regime. On Friday evening, a human chain with thousands of participants had crowned the official commemoration.
