The pro-Russia demonstration took place just hours after the Kremlin’s widespread missile attack on cities across Ukraine, Polish state news agency PAP reported, citing Germany’s Bild newspaper.
Protesters called Ukrainian refugees “Nazis” and hurled vile abuse at them, Bild reported, describing the event as “a rally of shame,” according to the PAP news agency.
‘A rally of shame’
The demonstration was held on Monday evening, with participants calling for reconciliation with Russia, condemning sanctions and protesting against high energy prices, according to PAP.
Up to 2,000 people marched through downtown Leipzig, a crowd that included right-wing extremists and members of the Freie Sachsen grouping, Bild reported.
While police stated the event had passed without incident, some footage from the rally has emerged on Twitter, according to Bild.
The German newspaper described the material as “shocking” and “terrifying,” the PAP news agency reported.
The video shows “hate-filled men,” shouting “Nazis out!” and “You’re living off us!,” as other protesters gather around them and laugh, according to PAP.
The German newspaper commented that the shouts were directed at Ukrainian war refugees and people on the other side of the street who were expressing solidarity with them, according to PAP.
Ukrainian counter-demonstrators responded by raising their blue-and-yellow flags and singing louder, PAP reported.
Tuesday is day 230 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, bild.de, tellerreport.com