Thousands of people gathered in Berlin on Sunday to protest against the joint decisions of the Union with the AfD in the Bundestag. Under the motto “Uprising of the Decent – Demo for the Wall of Tolerance” the large demonstration, organized by Campact among others, began in the afternoon with a kick-off rally on the Reichstag lawn, where several top SPD politicians were also present. The placards mainly featured phrases directed against CDU leader Friedrich Merz, such as “Fritz, stop Mother” “That’s probably a bad Merz” or “No Merz in February.”
Speakers included the former CDU member and publicist Michel Friedmann and the climate activist Luisa Neubauer. “We’re here because we’re against racism and anti-Semitism” Friedmann said. The Union had made an “unforgivable mistake” in its joint decision on migration policy. One should not make it too easy for oneself by only attacking the CDU, as it was the AfD that was driving the country forward.
Musical performances were given by Nina Chuba and the singer Mine. From the Reichstag lawn, the protesters continued to the Konrad-Adenauer-House. The organizers had expected around 20,000 participants beforehand, but later reports spoke of more than 80,000 people. The police were on the scene with around 500 officers, according to their own statements.
The organizers justified the demonstration by saying that Union Chancellor candidate Merz was “making common cause with the AfD.” The Merz-Union had committed a “gigantic taboo break.” Together, they wanted to set up an “unshakeable wall of tolerance against right-wing extremism, hate and hostility” in front of the CDU headquarters, as the call said.