Over 150,000 people, and possibly up to 300,000, gathered in Berlin over the weekend to denounce the far-right ideology and express their opposition to plans for mass deportation of immigrants. The protest rally, which took place in front of the Reichstag building, saw hundreds of individuals forming a symbolic ring around the parliament as a show of protection against far-right attacks.

The demonstrations were sparked by a recent report released by the investigative network Correctiv, which revealed a secret meeting attended by neo-Nazis, business people, and politicians from parties such as AfD and CDU. The meeting discussed plans for the mass expulsion of millions of immigrants. These revelations have triggered a wave of protests across Germany in the past few weeks.

Organizers of the Berlin protest named the event "We are the firewall," and it was supported by more than 1,300 associations, initiatives, and institutions. Chants and slogans targeted the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, known for its anti-immigration stance. Several AfD members were present at the secret meeting mentioned in the report.

Participants emphasized the importance of standing against exclusion and protecting democracy. Some drew attention to the erosion of democratic institutions in countries like Poland and Hungary, warning that similar consequences could manifest in Germany.

In addition to Berlin, several other cities in Germany also held protests against the far-right movement, with approximately 30,000 people gathering in Freiburg, 25,000 in Augsburg, and 10,000 in Krefeld, according to police estimates.

High-profile politicians, including Saskia Esken, the leader of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD), and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, lent their support to the Berlin demonstration. Family Minister Lisa Paus of the environmental Greens party also attended, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement during these times.

In a message posted on social media, Chancellor Scholz applauded the protests, describing them as a "strong signal for democracy and our constitution." However, the government's support for the demonstrations drew criticism from the AfD, questioning the decision to rally against a part of the population.

Although the Correctiv report has led to a slight decline in the popularity ratings of the far-right AfD party, it currently remains Germany's second-most popular party, behind only the conservative CDU.

The large-scale protests reflect a growing opposition to far-right ideology in Germany and a resolute desire to safeguard democracy and the rights of immigrants. The demonstrations serve as a reminder that a significant portion of the population stands united against exclusionary policies and in defense of democratic values.