Berlin (Germany), Jan 25 (LaPresse/AP) – Tens of thousands of Germans protested Saturday in Berlin and other cities against the rise of the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the general election on 23 February. At Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, a huge crowd blew whistles, sang anti-fascist songs and carried banners denouncing the AfD. Activists said they hoped the demonstration would also draw attention to other far-right parties in Europe and the new administration of US President Donald Trump. The police estimated the crowd present at 35,000, while another 40,000 were said to have attended the demonstration in Cologne. The protests took place as the AfD opened its election campaign in Halle, where party leader Alice Weidel, AfD candidate for chancellor, spoke in front of about 4,500 people. Weidel has the support of Elon Musk, who spoke at the rally from a distance. Her open support caused an uproar in Germany.
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