100 far-right protesters confronted by 5,000 counter demonstrators in Germany
‘Neo-Nazis and fearmongers are the minority,’ foreign minister says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A far-right march billed as a show of strength and designed to intimidate journalists who had been critical of the extremist National Democrat Party of Germany (NPD) was drowned out by a counter-demonstration.
About 100 right-wing supporters turned up in Hanover on Saturday waving the red, black and white colours of their neo-Nazi group.
The tiny gathering was met by more than 5,000 counter-protestors.
The larger demonstration – described as a colourful and celebratory affair – came together after the governor of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, called on citizens to show a united front against far-right extremism.
He asked for residents to turn out in support of press freedom after NPD organisers had advertised their own march by posting pictures online of a journalist who had published in-depth reporting about the group.
Responding to the vast counter demonstration, Heiko Maas, the country’s foreign minister, tweeted: “In Hanover one can see what applies to all of Germany: the neo-Nazis and the fearmongers who hound journalists are the minority. Thanks for everyone who protested peacefully against this unworthy parade.”
Police, who had previously failed in an attempt to have the NPD rally banned, reported that four people were arrested.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments