Three aid packages totaling 125 billion euros for tax cuts and most recently another 200 billion euros to combat the energy crisis: despite the federal government’s attempts to help citizens and companies through the crisis, dissatisfaction is growing among parts of the population.

Two weeks ago, 10,000 people took part in a demonstration by the AfD party. Last Monday, several thousand people demonstrated in various cities in the former GDR. Extreme movements, especially right-wing extremists, are also involved in these protests. Germans who don’t feel at home with these protests are now coming up with their own demonstrations.

Also action group Club Campact, which today carries out actions in six cities. The organization expects at least 20,000 people to turn out.

demonstrations on Monday evening

It is not for nothing that the organization demonstrates on Saturday. A large part of the demonstrations in Germany takes place on Monday evening. The so-called assembly demonstrations have historical roots. In autumn 1989, hundreds of thousands of people in the GDR demonstrated on Mondays for democracy and freedom to travel.

Certain groups are using this story for other things now, more than thirty years later. Homeland Security warned in late August that extremist groups could use fall and winter discontent for their own purposes.

The protests are not only directed against the high prices and the government’s policies. For example, extreme right-wing and extreme left movements are demonstrating against the Corona policy, sanctions against Russia and demanding peace with this country.

Not with extremes

“We show solidarity with Ukraine and expressly distance ourselves from the extreme right and the extreme left waving Russian flags,” said spokeswoman Maria Henk van Club Campact. “That’s why we’re demonstrating on Saturday instead of Monday.”

According to the activist, the vast majority of the demonstrators have no feelings for the radical right or left. “This group is concerned about rising energy and food prices and wants to demonstrate against it.”

protest autumn

In Germany, several organizations have indicated that they will demonstrate extensively and fanatically in the coming months. You call it a “hot autumn”. The head of the security services does not yet see a “hot autumn” and has so far spoken of a “gentle breeze”.

Club Campact prefers a positive approach. “Instead of a ‘hot autumn’ we prefer to speak of a ‘solidarity autumn’.” In addition to rising prices, the action group is demonstrating against hate speech and hate campaigns, for fairer taxes and climate protection.

When asked what the organization does when right-wing and left-wing extremist demonstrators are present, Henk says: “We are prepared for such scenarios. We have a dedicated de-escalation team. For example, they pay attention to fascist symbols and Russian.” The members of the team will kindly ask these people to leave.”