In a powerful show of resistance against right-wing extremism and restrictive asylum policies, thousands of demonstrators gathered on Saturday, February 8, 2025, in both Hamburg and Munich. The protests reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the tightening of Germany’s asylum laws and the role of far-right influence in shaping these changes.
Hamburg: A Call for Solidarity
In Hamburg, approximately 3,000 people marched through the city center under the banner “Solidarity will win!” The demonstration was organized by SOLIDARITY WILL WIN in collaboration with several left-leaning groups, labor unions, and human rights organizations. Starting from Steindamm 45, demonstrators moved peacefully through the city while chanting slogans and holding signs calling for secure migration routes and the protection of refugee rights.
Organizers highlighted the difficult conditions many refugees face in Hamburg, including overcrowded shelters, limited access to legal representation, and barriers to employment and education. They accused political leaders of using refugees as scapegoats for broader societal challenges, such as housing shortages and rising living costs.
According to one speaker, “Blaming refugees for problems created by economic inequality, exploitation, and environmental degradation distracts from the real issues. We demand policies that protect human dignity and social justice.”
Munich: Rejecting Right-Wing Influence
Simultaneously, around 200,000 protesters gathered in Munich to voice their opposition to the same asylum restrictions and the increasing normalization of far-right rhetoric. The protest, held in the Karlsplatz (Stachus) area, was marked by strong messages against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), whose collaboration on tougher migration policies has drawn widespread criticism.
Activists in Munich emphasized the damaging impact of such policies on vulnerable groups, particularly women and children seeking asylum. Several refugees shared their personal stories, shedding light on how restrictive laws have exacerbated their struggles to integrate into German society.
“We cannot sit silently while human rights are eroded,” said one protest organizer. “Germany has a responsibility to provide refuge and uphold international asylum standards. Normalizing xenophobia will only deepen the divide in our society.”
A Critical Look at the CDU and AfD’s Stance on Refugees
Both protests shared a common theme: strong criticism of the role played by the AfD and the CDU in advancing restrictive asylum measures. The AfD, known for its anti-immigrant and nationalist agenda, has been a driving force behind Germany’s growing hostility toward refugees. Meanwhile, the CDU, traditionally a center-right party, has faced backlash for collaborating with the AfD on key policy decisions, including regional-level agreements on stricter deportation rules and border controls.
Critics argue that this collaboration has legitimized far-right rhetoric and led to a rise in anti-refugee sentiment across the country. The AfD’s promotion of misinformation about refugees has fueled hate crimes, while the CDU’s willingness to adopt harsher asylum measures risks undermining Germany’s commitment to human rights.
Experts warn that these policies could have long-term consequences, including the marginalization of refugee communities, increased social unrest, and damage to Germany’s international reputation as a defender of human dignity and asylum rights. Activists at the demonstrations called on the government to reverse these policies and adopt an inclusive approach centered on integration, solidarity, and respect for international obligations.
As one demonstrator in Hamburg put it, “A country that turns its back on refugees turns its back on its own values. We are here to ensure that does not happen.”
