On Saturday October 17th the right-wing party AfD mobilized to Freilassing for a demonstration against new arrivals of refugees. 450 known neonazis, racists and “Besorgte Bürger” [roughly: worried citizens] rallied through the small village. Amongst them: Leaders of the “Freies Netz Süd” and “Kameradschaft Berchtesgadenerland” – known from neonazi rallies in Munich and the Charlemagne memorial in Bad Reichenhall. Also amongst the demonstrators: The “Identitäre Bewegung” a relatively new far right movement showed up with a transpartent. Their logo was taped over with a german flag. After a little a demonstrator attacked me for taking a picture of him amongst the other racists. Police forces had to intervene. From here on the event continued relatively calm.
A group that also helped arriving refugees at Freilassing station organized colorful counter-protest to show neo-nazis and racists they are not welcome.
To sum up the situation in Freilassing I edited this video:
My collected photo-impressions:
“Secure borders, secure homeland!”
Demonstrators whisteling and raising fist in the direction of the press.
Neonazis merge with AfD protestors demanding a lock down of all borders.
Banners from the “Identitäre Bewegung” demanding for real democracy. The logo of the new far-right movement is over taped with a german flag.
AfD demonstrators gather in Freilassing.
While speeches are held protesors repetivly scream: “Merkel muss weg” & “Lügenpresse”
Counter protestors welcoming refugees.
450 counter asylum demonstrators move through Freilassing.
AfD functonaries hold speeches from a small stage.
Neonazis next to AfD demonstrators holding up a sign “Stop Merkel!”
Front and end of the demonstration almost meet as the march only takes a small route.
Counter protestors holding up signs.
AfD functonaries hold speeches from a small stage.
Neonazis next to AfD demonstrators holding up a sign “Merkel loses the game about our future!”
Front banner of the 450 demonstrators strong event.
AfD demonstrators gather in Freilassing – sign demanding new elections to vote out chancellor Merkel.
Counter protestors welcoming refugees.
Banner is held up by racists as the demonstrations pours back onto the square it started on.
Neonazi leaders from the Kameradschaft Berchtesgadenerland march amongst the AfD protestors. Some of them have been charged of crimes with explosives involved.
