Berlin, Germany: Biggest recent neo-Nazi rally ends early after counter-protesters shut it down
A neo-Nazi demonstration in Berlin, Germany on Saturday, 22 March ended early for security reasons. The march was stopped by counter-protesters, reports the Berliner Zeitung server.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) reports that it was the largest gathering of neo-Nazis in Berlin in recent months. Around 1,500 police officers were deployed on the scene throughout the day.
The organizers of the demonstration, which was held in the Friedrichshain district under the slogan “For law and order – against left-wing extremism and politically motivated violence,” predicted there would be 1,200 participants. According to police, about 850 people eventually showed up for it.
More than 10 different counter-protests were held against the march, attended by approximately 2,000 people total. They blocked the march route, so the neo-Nazis only proceeded for 200 meters.
Police detained around 40 people, most of them on the right-wing extremist side. They were suspected of violating laws on the possession of explosives, fireworks, weapons and other prohibited items.
One woman publicly displayed the symbols of a banned organization and one man gave the Nazi salute in view of the police, reports Berliner Zeitung. After the demonstration ended, the police were tasked with ensuring its participants left Berlin without causing any problems.
Many of the neo-Nazis had arrived in the city by train. DPA reported this was the third demonstration by right-wing extremists in Berlin since December, all organized under the same slogan.
In December 2024, according to police data, 60 people turned out for the neo-Nazi protest, while 150 people turned out in February 2025. Both those events sparked counter-protests from left-wing groups.
The mood at the previous rallies was aggressive, with participants skirmishing with police officers.
