BERLIN (JTA) — Thousands of protesters are expected to counter an international gathering of neo-Nazis in Germany.
A broad coalition of at least 12,000 protesters is expected to demonstrate in the former East German city of Dresden for the confab, which begins Feb. 14.
Ralf Hron, head of the local region of the German Federation of Trade Unions, told reporters Wednesday that protesters are expected to show up from Germany, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Russia, Holland and Poland. The protest is called "Geh Denken," which is roughly translated as "march and think.”
The annual neo-Nazi march is scheduled on a day of remembrance for the victims of the World War II allied bombings of Dresden, which far-rightists have taken to calling the "bombing Holocaust." It is estimated that up to 25,000 people died in the air raids.
Last year some 6,000 right-wing extremists showed up for the march.
According to reports, there is no legal justification to bar the rightists from marching. About 6,000 police have been assigned to keep the two demonstrations separate.
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