Protests against AfD rise: Kassel mobilizes for diversity!

Protests against AfD rise: Kassel mobilizes for diversity!

In Hessen, resistance to the increasing survey values of the alternative for Germany (AfD), which is currently 22 percent. The upcoming Bundestag election on February 23, 2025 casts its shadows and numerous demonstrations are planned. These protests are directed against right -wing radical rhetoric and mobilize a broad alliance.

On February 15, the first major demonstration will take place in Frankfurt am Römerberg, organized by CSD-Frankfurt, with the motto "voting love". This campaign is supported by various organizations, including grandmas against right and the German Trade Union Confederation. The organizers criticize the hateful rhetoric represented by the AfD and similar parties. This first demo is part of a Germany -wide campaign before the election to send a clear message against the right.

demonstrations in Kassel and Gießen

in Kassel, another significant protest in front of the opera house takes place at 1 p.m. on January 18, 2025. This is organized by the "Kassel against the right" alliance and bears the motto "human, solidarity, diverse". A year after an also large demo in which 15,000 people had participated, the organizers show that the protest against the right -wing radical movement is far from silent. The prehistory of these demonstrations is alarming: they were triggered by research on a secret meeting of neo-Nazis and AfD politicians.

Mayor Sven Schoeller (Greens) spoke at the last major demo and confirmed that no Kasseler would be removed or deported. Trade unionist Orry Mittenmayer also speaks to today's demo and emphasizes the need to get into conversation with AfD voters, while the SPD city councilor Clara Schade also points to the dangers of right back and sees parallels to rise to the NSDAP.

protest in Gießen

In Gießen you can also mobilize for protest. On February 8th at 2:30 p.m. there will be another march, organized by a loose citizens' alliance that expects a number of participants of around 5,000 people. The motto of the Gießen demo reads: "Gießen defends itself! Never again is now". The route leads back to the starting point from Berliner Platz via various central points of the city.

Last year, around 13,000 people took part in the Gießen demo, which underlines the importance of the action. In view of the provocative survey results and the political situation, broad participation in these demonstrations is not only desirable, but necessary to set a strong sign against right.

historical context and current development

The wave of protest against right -wing extremism in Germany experienced a highlight in early 2024, triggered by revelations about a secret meeting of leading right -wing extremists and politicians in Potsdam. These protests have been referred to as the largest since the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany and contributed to the AfD temporarily lost to approval. Nevertheless, surveys show that their values rose again in the second half of 2024, which triggers concern in civil society.

A current study on behalf of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation makes it clear that there is a growing interest in political Engagement and discussion among the citizens. Although only a small part is involved in parties, political discussions and protest demonstrations are increasing. Mobilization against the right is not only an absolute necessity, but a sign of active civil society.

In addition, it remains to be seen the influence of the protest campaigns on the upcoming Bundestag election. Experts warn that a pre -laying of the choice could be mobilizing the citizens: might weaken inside. But the demonstrations already show that resistance to the AfD and its ideology is strong and diverse.

The coming weeks and months will be crucial, not only for the outcome of the election, but also for the future course of the political landscape in Hesse and Germany as a whole.