Loud protest in Dresden: rave demo against AfD youth organization!

Loud protest in Dresden: rave demo against AfD youth organization!

Last Saturday, a lively demonstration took place in Dresden Neustadt, mobilizing around 170 people. The reason was the planned re-establishment of the AfD's youth organization, a topic that is met with strong reactions in the current political landscape. The event, which went under the name “Rave Demo”, started in the Alaun Park and took the participants to the Elbwiesen, where a final rally took place. Everything was accompanied by a loudspeaker truck, which set musical accents and heated up the atmosphere. The demonstration lasted until around 10 p.m., which shows that the protest is an important space for expression, reports the Sächsische Zeitung.

The “Reset” alliance, which organized the demo, has already distinguished itself in the past through its efforts against the AfD. For example, activists managed to delay an event in Riesa for several hours in January, causing more than 15,000 demonstrators to take to the streets. The alliance is part of a growing movement that opposes the AfD's ideologies and relies on a variety of forms of action. Another local group is “Widerstellen Berlin”, which acts as a rallying point for anti-fascist movements and offers support to everyone who fights against fascist ideologies. They hold weekly open meetings and are active in the resistance movement, according to the information on their website.

Protest culture in Germany

The recent rally in Dresden is similar to what we know from German-speaking protest culture. This culture is characterized by a clear focus on political issues. While social issues are often the focus in other countries, in Germany issues such as peace and democracy are firmly anchored in history. Protest movements are increasingly using social media to mobilize and organize actions, which significantly increases the reach and efficiency of such demonstrations. From the student movement of the 1960s to current movements such as “Fridays for Future”, different generations have repeatedly adapted creatively to the changing media landscape in order to communicate their concerns, describes Deutschland.de.

This dynamic of the protests is also reflected in the variety of forms of action used by the various movements. Music, art and creative actions are not only means of entertainment, they also serve as a powerful form of expression for political messages. If the demonstrators convey the will for change with their initiatives, they contribute significantly to the political discussion. It remains exciting to see how this protest culture will develop and what topics will be brought to the streets in the future.