Chants of “Nazis out!” rang out. Anti-fascist and anti-racist signs peppered the large crowd, comprised of mostly young people. Participants communicated a strong message of solidarity with immigrants. Many of the bands’ lyrics conveyed anti-xenophobic and anti-racist messages.
Organizers, among them members of anti-fascist groups, aimed to show that there was “no place for Nazis in Chemnitz.” They adamantly stated they didn’t want the activities to be called a “festival,” but an opportunity “to show solidarity with all those who have been attacked by neo-Nazis.” “Racism should not be left uncontested on the street,” they stressed. (cnn.com, Sept. 3)
The rally began with a moment of silence for Daniel Hillig, an anti-fascist whose murder on Aug. 26 was wrongly blamed on refugees in false rumors spread by social media and some press. Ultra-right forces, supported by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the xenophobic Pegida movement, used his death as an excuse to aggressively hunt down and brutally attack mainly Arab and African immigrants over several days.
In response, 5,000 anti-fascists, mobilized under the slogan of “Heart, not hate,” linked arms and chanted “Refugees are wanted here!” and other anti-fascist slogans. They militantly confronted the Nazis at several locations as they marched on Sept. 1 in Chemnitz.
The following letter was signed by more than 30 organizations, including Workers World Party, International…
Dozens of people attended an event, held at New Canaan Baptist Church in Brooklyn on…
Boston Hundreds of pro-Palestine activists rallied on Jan. 20 at Parkman Bandstand on the Boston…
July 26 was the 57th anniversary of the murder of three Black teenagers by Detroit…
By Rémy Herrera From a speech by Rémy Herrera of the National Center of Scientific…
Minutes after the murder of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin said to a passerby that "he…