Thousands square off in Berlin far-right rally and counter demos

Thousands of demonstrators for and against the far-right face off in mass rival rallies in Berlin, where calls of “We are the people” are being countered with “Go away, Nazis” and techno beats.

Police, who have been out in force to keep the groups apart, say the march organized by the anti-immigrant, anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) drew over 5,000 supporters while the counter-demonstrators numbered more than 25,000.

The rallies have passed off largely peacefully, although Berlin police say on Twitter that they have had to use pepper spray to stop “demonstrators from trying to break down barriers” at one square.

Elsewhere, two dumpsters have been set alight with fireworks and rolled onto the street, injuring a female demonstrator, they write.

AfD supporters kicked off their march “for the future of Germany” shortly after midday at Berlin’s main train station, before walking to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, with many waving Germany’s black, red and gold flag.

Along the route, their chants of “Merkel must go” and “We are the people” were occasionally drowned out by whistles and jeers from counter-demonstrators in side streets blocked off by police.

— AFP