A demonstration in defense of democratic values and against right-wing extremism is being organized this afternoon in Berlin by a broad coalition of civil organizations, broadcast BTA.
It is expected that around 10,000 people will participate in the action, and spontaneous counter-demonstrations are also possible, according to the police.
The demonstration will be held at the so-called “Big Star” – central square in the German capital, shaped around the Victory Column, and will block much of the city center in the area of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building. Among the organizers are the environmental movements “Greenpeace“, “World Wildlife Fund“ and “Fridays for the Future”, alongside the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) and the online campaign organization “Kampact” (Campact).
The purpose of the event is to mobilize the largest possible participation in the elections for the European Parliament, which will be held in Germany tomorrow, June 9. Emphasis is placed on the participation of young people in the vote. Social Democrat MEP Matthias Ecke, who was hospitalized and underwent surgery in early May after being beaten by four assailants while putting up campaign posters in Dresden, is expected to be among the speakers. His attackers are believed to be far-right supporters.
Protest march against rising rent prices under the slogan “Who owns the city?“ is organized around the same time will move to another part of the German capital – from boulevard “Karl Marx Alley“ to the square “Potsdamer Platz“. About 10,000 people are also expected at the protest, co-organized by the "Left" party. Rising rents are a huge problem for the German capital and many residents of the city are calling for them to be frozen and capped.