“Thousands
rallied in Cologne on Sunday as supporters of the ‘Hooligans
against Salafists' far-right group and their left-wing opponents took
to the streets. Police had to deploy a water cannon in an attempt to
control the counter-protest. Law enforcers had earlier sought to ban
Sunday’s demonstration by the far-rights. However, a Cologne court
dismissed the motion and said the protesters would have the right to
gather at a fixed location, but they would not be allowed to march
through the city’s streets.”
“Hundreds
of anti-fascist demonstrators were also expected to confront the
radicals. Heavy security presence was to make sure the two crowds
would not go head-to-head. Eventually, scuffles broke out between
police and left-wingers and a water cannon was deployed in an attempt
to push back the crowd, authorities said.”
“The
far-right rally was organized by the ‘Hooligans against Salafists’
group. The organization, which is also known as HOGESA, is made up of
self-styled football hooligans, right-wingers and neo-Nazis. Media
estimates put the number of those attending the HOGESA protest at
around 600 people.”
“The
number of demonstrators taking part in a counter-protest in the
Cologne’s Deutz district near a railway terminal alone amounted to
4,500 people, German media reports, citing police sources. Meanwhile,
a spokesperson from the organizers of the counter protest claimed
that 'more than 10,000,' turned up, Swiss 20minuten news reports. At
the same time, Die Welt stated the total number of protesters taking
part in different demonstrations in Cologne on Sunday reached
23,000.”
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