More than ten thousand people demonstrate for democracy

More than ten thousand people demonstrated against right-wing extremism and for democracy in Leipzig and Dresden on Saturday. "One day before the European and local elections, we want to rouse people to vote and send a clear signal for democracy and human rights," said Irena Rudolph-Kokot, co-organizer of the "Hand in Hand for Democracy and Human Rights" rally. The organizers in Leipzig spoke of around 15,000 people, the police spoke of 12,500 participants.

Surprisingly, the internationally successful actress Sandra Hüller also gave a speech at the rally in Leipzig. People should not allow themselves to be infected "by the harsh tone from the right, by the imprecision and violence in the language, which has only one goal: Uncertainty and division," said the 46-year-old.

Hüller, who rarely appears in public outside of her work, called on people to go to the polls. Hüller was nominated at this year's Oscars for the leading role in the film "Anatomy of a Case". She was born in Suhl and lives in Leipzig. After the speeches, the demonstrators marched along Leipzig's city center ring road.

Also on Saturday afternoon, the action alliance "Wir sind die Brandmauer Dresden" had called for a demonstration under the motto "Stop right-wing extremism - defend democracy" on Theaterplatz in Dresden. According to the organizers and the police, several thousand people took part in the rally and the subsequent demonstration march through the old and new town.