Local campaign to ban far-right AfD gains 600 signatures in two weeks
Local Resistance Grows Against AfD's 'Populist Ash Wednesday' Event in Overath
When the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) holds its so-called "Populist Ash Wednesday" gathering at Overath's Kulturbahnhof this Friday, February 20, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district is pushing back with clear opposition. The Aktionskreis for Democracy and Against Right-Wing Extremism Rhein-Berg has called for a rally against far-right extremism, exclusion, and anti-democratic ideologies, set to begin at 5 p.m. on Overath's Bahnhofsplatz (station square).
The protest is also backed by the Bergisch Gladbach for Democracy and Diversity association. Its chair, Roland Vossebrecker, underscores the importance of visible commitment: "Our democracy thrives on participation. It depends on us not staying silent when far-right forces try to divide our society. Let's stand together and send a strong, peaceful, and determined message: For democracy. For diversity. For human dignity."
Editor's note: On Monday, the district executive of the Left Party (Die Linke) issued its own appeal: "We call on all democratic forces to join the counter-protest. We must make one thing clear: Not an inch to the fascists! The Rheinisch-Bergisch district stands for openness, diversity, and human rights. Together, we must show that we will not allow the AfD to dominate public space with its hate propaganda."
Meanwhile, Vossebrecker offers a positive interim assessment of the ongoing signature campaign pushing for a ban on the AfD. In the past two weeks alone, nearly 600 signatures have been collected in Bergisch Gladbach. "This shows that many people are ready to take an active stand for democratic values," he says.
Those wishing to support the initiative can still do so every Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the association's info booth in Bergisch Gladbach's pedestrian zone, where petition sheets are available.
Editor's note: The local chapter of Grandmothers Against the Right (Omas gegen Rechts) is also backing the signature drive.
For more information, visit www.gl-devi.de, the association's social media channels at @gl.de.vi, or nrw-appell-afd-verbot.de and weact.campact.de/p/nrwappell.
Further details on the association and its activities can be found at www.gl-devi.de or on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok under @gl.de.vi.
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