Dresden Protests Escalate ahead of Merz Visit to Saxony
Dresden, Germany – demonstrations continued Friday in Dresden, with up to 1,000 people taking to the streets to protest recent comments made by CDU Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding cityscapes and migrants. The protest, held at Albertplatz in Dresden Neustadt under the banner “We are daughters - for a colorful cityscape,” follows similar demonstrations in cities across Germany.
Participants, including representatives from jusos, the Left Youth, the Green Youth, and migrant organizations, voiced their opposition to Merz’s statements. A photo reporter on site estimated the crowd size at around 1,000, while another observer reported approximately 250 attendees. Police reported the rally remained peaceful.
Beyond the initial controversy surrounding Merz’s remarks, speakers at the rally broadened the scope of their criticism to include issues of gender inequality, highlighting the unequal distribution of care work and the persistent gender pay gap. A spokesperson directly addressed Merz, stating, “Dear Mr. Merz, I am grateful not to be your daughter today.” The rally also drew attention to the concerning rate of femicides in Germany.
Another protest is planned in Saxony to coincide with Merz’s scheduled visit on Tuesday,signaling continued opposition to his views. The initial controversy stems from Merz’s comments about the changing demographics of German cities and their impact on the “cityscape.”
