Over 20,000 people protest in Germany against new far-right AfD youth group

BERLIN

More than 20,000 people took part in what was probably the largest single demonstration against the founding congress of a new youth organization of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the central city of Giessen, organizers announced on Saturday.

"We will not allow the next generation of violent fascists to organize in the Hessenhallen (venue of the congress). In these minutes, tens of thousands of people from Giessen and all over Germany are standing in their way," said Suraj Mailitafi, spokesman for the Resist alliance, which was one of several groups to organize the mass protests.

Meanwhile, another organizer of the demonstration, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), echoed Mailitafi’s statements.

Michael Rudolph, the DGB district chairman for Hesse and Thuringia, described the demonstration as an "impressive, visible, and deeply democratic sign against misanthropy and division."

He said that being democratically elected to parliament does not make the AfD a democratic party, as it shows contempt for democratic values and institutions.

The founding meeting began more than two hours late due to road blockades and street protests, as many of the approximately 1,000 planned participants were initially unable to reach the venue.

Meanwhile, the German Press Agency (dpa) reported that a group of demonstrators tried to break past police barriers to reach the site of the AfD youth congress. However, police pushed the activists back using a water cannon, among other things.

BERLIN

Meanwhile, another organizer of the demonstration, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), echoed Mailitafi’s statements.

Michael Rudolph, the DGB district chairman for Hesse and Thuringia, described the demonstration as an "impressive, visible, and deeply democratic sign against misanthropy and division."

He said that being democratically elected to parliament does not make the AfD a democratic party, as it shows contempt for democratic values and institutions.

The founding meeting began more than two hours late due to road blockades and street protests, as many of the approximately 1,000 planned participants were initially unable to reach the venue.