Demonstrations in Dresden - Mayor calls for peaceful statement

In view of the massive mobilization in the right-wing extremist scene for rallies in Dresden on Saturday, Dresden's Lord Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP) is calling for a clear signal. "We are calling on the city's society to make a peaceful statement from all democratic forces," he said in a statement. Right-wing extremists wanted to use Dresden as a stage again and instrumentalize the commemoration of the city's destruction on 13 February for their ideology, Hilbert criticized.

Dresden will not allow hatred and agitation to dominate the cityscape, but stands for reconciliation and peace, said Hilbert. "We stand firmly against all those who divide our society and work against our basic democratic values - regardless of the direction and without violence." Hilbert called on the citizens to "take a stand: for our constitution, for an open society and for peaceful coexistence".

The relevant authorities have observed a massive mobilization of the right-wing extremist scene for the rallies, as has Saxony's Office for the Protection of the Constitution in the left-wing extremist scene. The police are therefore assuming a confrontational situation.

Dresden was destroyed by British and American bombs on February 13, 1945 and in the days that followed. According to research by historians, up to 25,000 people lost their lives. Right-wing extremists see this as a war crime committed by the Allies.