Protests everywhere

Research from yesterday:

February 13^th and 14^th mark the anniversary each year of the Dresden bombings, during which Allied forces killed an estimated 25,000 civilians by dropping incendiary bombs.  Far-right extremists have since used the occasions to gather in remembrance and march through the city with flags, banners, and torches.  In 2011, two funeral marches were scheduled within days of each other.  The first on February 13^th drew 1,300 neo-Nazis, but what was remarkable were the 17,000 counter-protesters who also showed up to block the parade by creating a human chain extending two miles around the city.  The second gathering on February 19 drew some 600 neo-Nazis (fewer than the 4,000 expected) and an estimated 21,000 counter-protesters made up of an alliance of political parties, church groups, trade unions, and associations.  Five thousand police were deployed to keep the peace at each event.

I’ve searched online for stories about the Dresden protests.  Nothing in The New York Times as of today, February 19 (though plenty of suggestions for restaurants and hotels).  It’s early, though.  I’ll give them a few more days.

A set of photographs on Flickr, however, depicts violent confrontations between what look to be antifa protesters and riot police (images copyright Noktalia 2011).

Example of anti-Nazi sticker – this one from Berlin: