As of: February 8, 2024, 5:42 p.m
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A participant in a neo-Nazi rally in Dresden.
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa/archive image
For years, neo-Nazis have been trying to co-opt the memory of the destruction of Dresden in World War II.
As a rule, an elevator is announced beforehand - and a counter-protest.
Dresden - In view of a planned march by right-wing extremists and an announced counter-protest, the Dresden police are preparing for a major operation before the anniversary of the city's destruction in World War II.
Police Chief Lutz Rodig said on Thursday that the meeting situation was “confrontational.”
Right-wing extremists, especially from Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as left-wing extremists are also expected.
However, the police are planning smaller plans for February 13th, the actual day of remembrance.
The maxim on both days was to ensure freedom of assembly, to separate the camps and to intervene in physical disputes and possible blockades, said Rodig.
Because of the anti-right protests that have been going on in German cities for weeks, it is expected that there will be greater mobilization in the right and left camps compared to previous years.
According to Rodig, a total of 18 meetings are scheduled for February 11th, two from the right, 15 from the left and one from civil society.
Many of them are so-called placeholders to occupy areas, including all Dresden train stations.
The route of the right elevator is not yet known.
The police consider 1,000 participants “to be realistic”, including members of “Heimat”, “Free Saxony” and “Third Way”.
Since the “Day of Honor” is again in Budapest this weekend, it can be assumed that many right-wing extremists are more likely to travel there.
On the other side, “significantly more than 1,000 people” were expected, said Rodig, including left-wing extremists, especially from Leipzig.
One should be prepared for physical confrontations when the camps meet and for blockades.
The operation is supported by officials from Thuringia, Brandenburg, Bavaria and Hamburg as well as the federal police.
The latter also secures train stations and routes.
The fact that this time on February 13th there will be no march from the right-wing camp or the Monday protest movement gives hope that the day will be “less confrontational” than in the past.
25 meetings and nine events have been registered, five of which are from the right and the lateral thinker scene, 14 from the left and six from the civil spectrum - including “placeholders”.
Right-wing extremists are to be expected at AfD and Monday Spectrum events at the memorial site on the Altmarkt in the evening, said Rodig.
It is assumed that there will be fewer than 1,000 participants, and with more counter-protest, including left-wing extremists.
“We are prepared for unpeaceful situations, but we do not expect them to arise.” dpa