Far-right, leftist groups clash in Chemnitz city; 11 injured despite efforts to avoid violence
Far-right and anti-fascist groups clashed in eastern German city of Chemnitz Saturday over alleged killing of a man by migrants.
More than 4,500 far-right protestors attended the anti-immigration rally organized by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the Pro Chemnitz group, a week after a 35-year-old German citizen was allegedly killed by two migrants after a street row.
The protestors, carrying banners that demanded immediate deportation of illegal migrants, chanted slogans “Merkel must go”, “Resistance” and “We are the people”.
Leftist and anti-fascist groups organized a counter demonstration to protest the far-right violence in Chemnitz, as mobs were randomly attacking foreign-looking people on the streets in recent days.
The counter-protest drew at least 3,500 people, according to the organizers.
Authorities maintained a heavy police presence and tried to keep rival groups apart in a bid to avoid violence.
However, the clashes between right-wing extremists and leftist groups left at least 11 people injured.
