Berlin, September 12th, 2026 (The Berlin Spectator) – Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Berlin on Saturday to demonstrate for social cohesion and against right-wing extremism. Organizers said 35,000 people took part.
Seven separate marches set out from different parts of the city shortly after 11:30 a.m., converging on Red City Hall, for a closing rally in the afternoon. Nearly 100 organizations, initiatives and unions had called for the demonstration, which was held under the slogan “Zeit, dass sich was dreht” (“Time for Things to Change”).
Three of the marches merged earlier on Unter den Linden boulevard. They included a bloc of unions and welfare associations calling for “social participation for all,” a bloc formed by various initiatives opposing the extremist right-wing AfD, and a march organized by the cultural alliance Die Vielen under the banner “Culture Stays Free”.
Wide Range
Demonstrators voiced a wide range of demands, from a ban on the AfD to affordable rent, social justice, education, climate action and healthcare. Some chanted calls for the Bundesrat to request a review of banning the party, while banners read slogans such as “Human rights instead of right-wing humans”. Rainbow flags were waved throughout the march.
Many participants pointed to housing costs as a particular concern, saying they could no longer afford to grow old in their current apartments. Others voiced frustration over Germany’s pace on climate protection.
A brief incident occurred near the Rotes Rathaus when a single demonstrator appeared carrying a German flag. According to the “Morgenpost” daily, the move sparked disputes with other participants. The man was asked to leave after an announcement had called on demonstrators to refrain from displaying “territorial flags”. He insisted on his right to take part. The situation escalated. He was surrounded and had the flag taken from him.
Potsdam and Düsseldorf
Police deployed roughly 1,800 officers for the event. Authorities warned of significant traffic disruptions across central Berlin and urged residents to use public transportation.
Similar demonstrations took place in more than 30 other German cities on Saturday, including Potsdam and Cottbus, with organizers citing the AfD’s recent election victory in Saxony-Anhalt as well as upcoming state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as key motivations.
Yet another protest of this kind in Düsseldorf drew around 20,000 people under the slogan “No Step Back, Against the AfD and Right-Wing Agitation”, with organizers reporting the turnout doubled the originally registered number.
