Demo against the right

2500 Graz residents demand: “Defend democracy!”

The demonstration was one of many: The one in Munich was even broken up due to the crowds.(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday afternoon under the slogan "Defend democracy!". The demonstration started at 3 pm at Graz main station and ended with a sea of lights on the main square.

After many German cities and Vienna, Graz now stood up against the right. "We are taking to the streets for democracy," says Lilly Jagl (38), press spokesperson for the organizers. The "Solidarity Alliance for Human Rights and Democracy", consisting of dozens of sub-organizations, brought 2500 people onto the streets. 5000 were registered.

The meeting point was at 3 pm at Graz main station before the crowd marched through Annenstraße towards the main square. There was then a large sea of lights at around 6 pm.

Young environmental activists were at the start, as were the "grannies against the right".(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

"Right-wing extremism is a real problem and a threat to our democracy, we must no longer turn a blind eye," said Ulrike Leger-Pölzl from "Omas gegen Rechts", who also joined the march.

A picture similar to that in Germany has long been emerging in Austria and throughout Europe, explains Jagl. There is therefore still a lot to do before the elections in the fall.

The common goal: "This year we will prevent the right-wing extremists from gaining power, that they neither provide the chancellor nor are part of the government," says Erich Fenninger, Director of Volkshilfe Österreich, who helped organize the large rally in Vienna.