The “Cologne stands across” alliance has called for a rally at the Deutzer Werft from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. under the motto “Protect democracy, fight the AfD”. According to organizers, around 70,000 demonstrators gathered.
KVB trains run over the Deutzer Bridge again
The program with Cologne greats from politics and culture has ended. People are now streaming back over the Deutzer Bridge and back to the Deutz/Messe train station.
At times the KVB trains could not travel over the Deutzer Bridge because there were too many people there. However, the trains on lines 1, 7 and 9 are now running their normal route again, as KVB spokesman Matthias Pesch confirms.
Everything about the Cologne demonstration
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Reker: “You can simply rely on the people of Cologne”
Mayor Henriette Reker (independent) was happy about the many participants: “I find it really impressive that a signal is always sent from Cologne when our human rights or our peace or our democracy is in danger. And you can simply rely on the people of Cologne.” At the same time, it shouldn’t just be a demonstration. “It is important now that we all not only meet here and prove to each other that we agree, but that we enter into dialogue with those who give the impression that they could follow the AfD’s empty promises and undermine our democracy bring danger.”
Deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia Mona Neubaur (Greens) was also at the large demonstration in Cologne on Sunday. She wants to show “that our democracy is resilient, that we stand up against right-wing extremism, against fascism, that we are the majority.” She is pleased that there are currently similar movements not only in Cologne, but all over North Rhine-Westphalia. Many of her friends are children of guest workers. “They no longer feel safe. I don’t want North Rhine-Westphalia to be a country in which people who rebuilt our country don’t feel safe.” It is important to show solidarity now. “And then the fight against the right-wing extremist AfD must continue in parliament and on the streets.”
Anette Dowideit, deputy editor-in-chief of “Correctiv” was overwhelmed on Sunday: “Of course we never expected that we could trigger something like this with research.” Dowideit believes that people were just waiting for an impulse to take to the streets go. “I hope that now that this demonstration is over, people will say: ‘I have to get involved in democracy in some way.’”
Höhner and Cat Ballou sing together
At the start of the rally, the Höhner were on stage. “We want to defend democracy. “Germany must not move to the right,” said frontman Patrick Lück on stage. Lück: “We are here because we want to set a musical example together.” Then Höhner and Cat Ballou sang together “When will the heavens open?”
The schedule is very tight for the Cologne band Cat Ballou, but taking part in the demo is a matter of the heart, said frontman Oliver Niesen. “It is an important sign to be here today. It’s touching to see how many people are here today. That gives us confidence again.”
Demo train moves back to the Deutzer Werft instead of to Neumarkt
At midday the Deutzer Bridge was full of people walking towards the right bank of the Rhine. The demonstration that started from Ottoplatz in Deutz under the motto “Broad protest against the current revelations about the meeting of right-wing extremist politicians” in the direction of Neumarkt has therefore changed its route at short notice in consultation with the police. Instead of the originally intended destination of Neumarkt, the hundreds of participants turned around at the level of the north-south journey and joined the seemingly never-ending entourage to the Deutzer Werft. Loud chants like “The whole of Cologne hates the AfD!” or “All together against fascism!” could be heard everywhere.
From mid-morning on Sunday, numerous people gathered at the KVB stations to head towards the city center. Small groups, families with handcarts or individuals are sometimes equipped with signs, whistles and posters; there was an acute shortage of space on the trains.
On Tuesday, around 30,000 Cologne residents took to the streets against the shift to the right at a spontaneously registered demonstration at Heumarkt. The Heumarkt and its side streets were bursting at the seams. (red)
2024-01-21 11:45:56
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