21
Apr 2025
9:28 UTC
Germany Tactical: Far-right protests, counterprotests to take place nationwide on April 26; avoid nonessential travel
Current Situation
- Protests organized by the far-right group Gemeinsam fur Deutschland will take place in multiple cities on April 26.
- The protests are being organized to demand increased border control, improved public security, the cessation of financial support to Ukraine, and the protection of freedom of expression. Counterprotests have also been announced. Details are as follows:
- In Berlin, far-right protesters will meet at Neptunbrunnen at 13:00 (local time).
- Following the initial gathering, protesters will march at 14:00 through Spandauer Strasse, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, Unter den Linden, Wilhelmstrasse, Dorotheenstrasse, Ebertstrasse, Platz des 18. Marz, Ebertstrasse, Potsdamer Platz, Leipziger Platz, Leipziger Strasse, Spittelmarkt, Gertaudenstrasse, Muhlendamm, Grunerstrasse, before returning via Spandauer Strasse to Neptunbrunnen.
Source: Organizer’s Website
- In Berlin, far-right protesters will meet at Neptunbrunnen at 13:00 (local time).
- Following the initial gathering, protesters will march at 14:00 through Spandauer Strasse, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, Unter den Linden, Wilhelmstrasse, Dorotheenstrasse, Ebertstrasse, Platz des 18. Marz, Ebertstrasse, Potsdamer Platz, Leipziger Platz, Leipziger Strasse, Spittelmarkt, Gertaudenstrasse, Muhlendamm, Grunerstrasse, before returning via Spandauer Strasse to Neptunbrunnen.
Source: Organizer’s Website
- A counter-protest march organized by far-left civil society groups under the banner “Alle zusammen gegen den Faschismus!” will begin at Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn station at 12:15.
- The march will continue through Bebelplatz and conclude near Neptunbrunnen at Alexanderplatz, where a protest rally will be held. The far-right protest is scheduled to begin at the same location at 13:00.
Source: Instagram
- A counter-protest march organized by far-left civil society groups under the banner “Alle zusammen gegen den Faschismus!” will begin at Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn station at 12:15.
- The march will continue through Bebelplatz and conclude near Neptunbrunnen at Alexanderplatz, where a protest rally will be held. The far-right protest is scheduled to begin at the same location at 13:00.
Source: Instagram
- In Frankfurt, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Festhalle Messe Frankfurt from 14:00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Frankfurt, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Festhalle Messe Frankfurt from 14:00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Hamburg, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Heidi-Kabel-Platz from 14:00.
Source: X/Twitter
- In Hamburg, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Heidi-Kabel-Platz from 14:00.
Source: X/Twitter
- In Hamburg, a counter-protest will be held at Dammtordamm in front of the Kriegsklotz from 12:30.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Hamburg, a counter-protest will be held at Dammtordamm in front of the Kriegsklotz from 12:30.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Munich, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Wittelsbacherplatz from 14.00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Munich, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Wittelsbacherplatz from 14.00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- Far-right protests are also planned in Aschaffenburg, Bad Schwartau, Balingen, Dortmund, Flensburg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Rostock, Saarlouis, and Weimar. Details on locations and timings are available here (in German).
Source: Organizer’s website
- Far-right protests are also planned in Aschaffenburg, Bad Schwartau, Balingen, Dortmund, Flensburg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Rostock, Saarlouis, and Weimar. Details on locations and timings are available here (in German).
Source: Organizer’s website
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on social media estimates, coupled with the organizers’ mobilization capabilities, far-right protests are likely to garner a turnout ranging in the low-hundreds to mid-thousands, with protests in cities located in eastern Germany likely to see higher turnouts. Counter-demonstrations are expected to be organized near all far-right protests, in addition to the aforementioned demonstrations in Berlin and Hamburg. Such protests, especially in Berlin and Hamburg, will see turnouts in the low-to-mid thousands.
- Given heightened sentiments over the far-right protests, police warnings, the potential participation of radical right-wing elements, including neo-Nazis, and far-left elements at counter-demonstrations, the protests carry a high risk for unrest. The threat is especially heightened at the Berlin and Hamburg protests, as protesters and counter-protesters are expected to cross paths.
- While authorities are likely to significantly bolster security near all protests, there remains a high risk of clashes, both between opposing groups and with law enforcement. Protesters from both sides are liable to engage in violence, including physical assaults and throwing projectiles or incendiary items like bottles and flares. There is also a latent risk of vandalism.
- In case of escalating unrest, police are liable to resort to forcible dispersal measures, including baton charges, using tear gas, and conducting arrests. Moreover, given heightened sentiments in general, riot police are likely to be on standby in affected cities, especially Berlin and Hamburg, as a precaution.
- FORECAST: Additionally, the threat of neo-Nazi actors attacking minorities remains. In particular, individuals who are visibly Muslim, Jewish, or part of the LGBTQ+ community are at a higher risk of such attacks.. This was exemplified during a far-right protest in Berlin in December 2024, when masked neo-Nazi extremists engaged in violent actions, including chasing a teenager.
- Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement, including possible road closures and delays to public transportation services, are anticipated in the vicinity of the protest locations during the slated timings.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Germany on April 26 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of any far-right protest and/or counter-protest due to the high potential for unrest, including the risk of violent escalation.
- Allot for disruptions to travel near all protest locations.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Germany
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- Protests organized by the far-right group Gemeinsam fur Deutschland will take place in multiple cities on April 26.
- The protests are being organized to demand increased border control, improved public security, the cessation of financial support to Ukraine, and the protection of freedom of expression. Counterprotests have also been announced. Details are as follows:
- In Berlin, far-right protesters will meet at Neptunbrunnen at 13:00 (local time).
- Following the initial gathering, protesters will march at 14:00 through Spandauer Strasse, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, Unter den Linden, Wilhelmstrasse, Dorotheenstrasse, Ebertstrasse, Platz des 18. Marz, Ebertstrasse, Potsdamer Platz, Leipziger Platz, Leipziger Strasse, Spittelmarkt, Gertaudenstrasse, Muhlendamm, Grunerstrasse, before returning via Spandauer Strasse to Neptunbrunnen.
Source: Organizer’s Website
- In Berlin, far-right protesters will meet at Neptunbrunnen at 13:00 (local time).
- Following the initial gathering, protesters will march at 14:00 through Spandauer Strasse, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, Unter den Linden, Wilhelmstrasse, Dorotheenstrasse, Ebertstrasse, Platz des 18. Marz, Ebertstrasse, Potsdamer Platz, Leipziger Platz, Leipziger Strasse, Spittelmarkt, Gertaudenstrasse, Muhlendamm, Grunerstrasse, before returning via Spandauer Strasse to Neptunbrunnen.
Source: Organizer’s Website
- A counter-protest march organized by far-left civil society groups under the banner “Alle zusammen gegen den Faschismus!” will begin at Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn station at 12:15.
- The march will continue through Bebelplatz and conclude near Neptunbrunnen at Alexanderplatz, where a protest rally will be held. The far-right protest is scheduled to begin at the same location at 13:00.
Source: Instagram
- A counter-protest march organized by far-left civil society groups under the banner “Alle zusammen gegen den Faschismus!” will begin at Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn station at 12:15.
- The march will continue through Bebelplatz and conclude near Neptunbrunnen at Alexanderplatz, where a protest rally will be held. The far-right protest is scheduled to begin at the same location at 13:00.
Source: Instagram
- In Frankfurt, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Festhalle Messe Frankfurt from 14:00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Frankfurt, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Festhalle Messe Frankfurt from 14:00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Hamburg, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Heidi-Kabel-Platz from 14:00.
Source: X/Twitter
- In Hamburg, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Heidi-Kabel-Platz from 14:00.
Source: X/Twitter
- In Hamburg, a counter-protest will be held at Dammtordamm in front of the Kriegsklotz from 12:30.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Hamburg, a counter-protest will be held at Dammtordamm in front of the Kriegsklotz from 12:30.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Munich, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Wittelsbacherplatz from 14.00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- In Munich, far-right protesters will demonstrate at Wittelsbacherplatz from 14.00.
Source: Organizer’s website
- Far-right protests are also planned in Aschaffenburg, Bad Schwartau, Balingen, Dortmund, Flensburg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Rostock, Saarlouis, and Weimar. Details on locations and timings are available here (in German).
Source: Organizer’s website
- Far-right protests are also planned in Aschaffenburg, Bad Schwartau, Balingen, Dortmund, Flensburg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Rostock, Saarlouis, and Weimar. Details on locations and timings are available here (in German).
Source: Organizer’s website
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on social media estimates, coupled with the organizers’ mobilization capabilities, far-right protests are likely to garner a turnout ranging in the low-hundreds to mid-thousands, with protests in cities located in eastern Germany likely to see higher turnouts. Counter-demonstrations are expected to be organized near all far-right protests, in addition to the aforementioned demonstrations in Berlin and Hamburg. Such protests, especially in Berlin and Hamburg, will see turnouts in the low-to-mid thousands.
- Given heightened sentiments over the far-right protests, police warnings, the potential participation of radical right-wing elements, including neo-Nazis, and far-left elements at counter-demonstrations, the protests carry a high risk for unrest. The threat is especially heightened at the Berlin and Hamburg protests, as protesters and counter-protesters are expected to cross paths.
- While authorities are likely to significantly bolster security near all protests, there remains a high risk of clashes, both between opposing groups and with law enforcement. Protesters from both sides are liable to engage in violence, including physical assaults and throwing projectiles or incendiary items like bottles and flares. There is also a latent risk of vandalism.
- In case of escalating unrest, police are liable to resort to forcible dispersal measures, including baton charges, using tear gas, and conducting arrests. Moreover, given heightened sentiments in general, riot police are likely to be on standby in affected cities, especially Berlin and Hamburg, as a precaution.
- FORECAST: Additionally, the threat of neo-Nazi actors attacking minorities remains. In particular, individuals who are visibly Muslim, Jewish, or part of the LGBTQ+ community are at a higher risk of such attacks.. This was exemplified during a far-right protest in Berlin in December 2024, when masked neo-Nazi extremists engaged in violent actions, including chasing a teenager.
- Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement, including possible road closures and delays to public transportation services, are anticipated in the vicinity of the protest locations during the slated timings.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Germany on April 26 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of any far-right protest and/or counter-protest due to the high potential for unrest, including the risk of violent escalation.
- Allot for disruptions to travel near all protest locations.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Germany
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
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Related Reports
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-
ProtestGermany Tactical: Pro-Ukrainian protest march slated from S-bahnhof Friedrich Strasse in Berlin at 13:00 (local time) on May 8; maintain heightened vigilance
-
ProtestGermany Tactical: Protests, events commemorating Victory in Europe Day to be held in multiple cities on May 8; maintain heightened vigilance
-
ProtestGermany Tactical: Anti-government protest slated to take place in front of Bundeskanzleramt in Berlin from 08:00 (local time) on May 6; maintain heightened vigilance
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ProtestGermany Tactical: Disability rights protest march slated from Brandenburger Tor in Berlin at 11:00 (local time) on May 5; allot for disruptions