
Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot
The committee Bündnis für ein weltoffenes und tolerantes Berlin, a broad alliance of churches, unions, charities, and further organizations of civic society, hosted an event at Spreebogenpark near the gathering point of the right-wing extremist demonstration at Hauptbahnhof and enabled about 300 Berliners to voice their protest in immediate vicinity. Speeches were given by spokespersons of the alliance, Diakonisches Werk, DGB, Evengelische Kirche Berlin, as well as the neighborhood initiative “Anwohner_inneninitiative für Zivilcourage – Gegen Rechts aus Mitte”.

Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot
The neighborhood initiative “Anwohner_inneninitiative für Zivilcourage – Gegen Rechts” organized an event in their residential neighborhood next to Friedrichstadt-Palast, as they were, for the first time and unlike the year before(1./ 2.), directly confronted with a marching route of the right-wing extremist demonstration straight through their neighborhood. There were about 300 citizens confronting the right-wing extremists with a very vocal and creative protest, pots and pans, golden flags, music, and speeches against neo-Nazis.

Copyright: Berlin gegen Nazis
Berlin gegen Nazis invited all Berliners to join their balloon action campaign at both counter protest events. A sunny and clear albeit biting cold sky was soon filled with hundreds of balloons imprinted with “Berlin gegen Nazis” while the right-wing extremist demonstration passed by. A video documentation by Jüdischen Forum für Demokratie und gegen Antisemitismus captured some impressions of the balloon action campaign at Spreebogenpark.

Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot
With about 250 participants, the right-wing extremist marched from Hauptbahnhof through Spandauer Vorstadt to Alexanderplatz, chanting explicit slogans such as “Ruhm und Ehre der deutschen Nation“ or “Heil Merkel“. The report of the residential neighborhood documents verbal abuse and threats of the protesting residents by the demonstrators on the sound truck. Several participants of the right-wing demonstration performed the Hitler and Kühnen salutes. The demonstration was continuously accompanied by the resident’s protest.
Pics of the day of the protests against the right-wing extremist demonstration on March 3, 2018

Berlin gegen Nazi’s inflatable bear at the protest event on Spreebogenpark looking towards the right-wing extremist gathering at Washingtonplatz. Copyright: Berlin gegen Nazis

Colorful protest in sight of the right-wing extremist gathering. Copyright: Berlin gegen Nazis

Singing against neo-Nazis at the protest event at Spreebogenpark. Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot

Hard to miss protest at the event at Spreebogenpark organized by “Bündnis für ein weltoffenes und tolerantes Berlin”. Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot

Counter protest at Spreebogenpark featuring the Samba band of the Education and Science Workers’ Union. Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot

Final countdown: Berlin gegen Nazis’ balloon action campaign at Spreebogenpark. Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot

Impressions of Berlin gegen Nazis’ balloon action campaign at Spreebogenpark. Copyright: Berlin gegen Nazis / bo.ja.bo instagram

Bernadette la Hengst performing at the counter protest event of the neighborhood initiative at Friedrichstadtpalast. Copyright: Berlin gegen Nazis

Deutsches Theater supporting the counter protest of the residents at Friedrichstadt-Palast with their own banner. Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot

Colorful shiny protest at the event of the neighborhood initiative against the right-wing extremist demonstration at Friedrichstadt-Palast. Copyright: Berlin gegen Nazis

Second balloon action campaign at the event hosted by the neighborhood initiative with the right-wing extremist demonstration passing by. Copyright: Berlin gegen Nazis

Full-scale counter protest along the marching route of the right-wing extremist demonstration. Copyright: BerlinGegenNazis/ Florian Boillot