Hundreds of people demonstrated on Monday evening in Dresden against an appearance by the Thuringian AfD parliamentary group leader Björn Höcke and against a “Pegida” assembly.
The elevator of the Pegida movement through the city center was continuously accompanied by counter-protests, the Dresden police department announced on Tuesday.
There were also several sit-ins.
Counter-demonstrators had thrown stones in the direction of the Pegida elevator.
Two suspects aged 14 and 15 are being investigated for dangerous bodily harm.
Observers spoke of 1,000 to 2,000 counter-demonstrators.
According to observers, the protest was so loud at times that the Pegida organizers were considering breaking up their rally with around 2,000 participants. Also there were the AfD member of the Bundestag from Dresden, Jens Maier, who campaigned on his own behalf. Maier is a direct candidate in one of the Dresden constituencies.
Höcke did not appear until late in the evening. He played down the corona virus and denied that there was ever an epidemic situation in Germany.
In the meantime, Pegida sympathizers ran through Dresden and had to avoid road blockades in two places. According to the police, the event remained largely relaxed. It was said that there were only marginal insults and scuffles. According to the police, a 30-year-old participant in the “Pegida” rally showed the forbidden Hitler salute. He now has to answer for the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations. Two further investigations had been initiated against unknown persons because of threats and insults. Eggs were also thrown at counter-demonstrators. A 71-year-old woman was injured, according to police. The police are investigating in this case for dangerous physical harm against unknown persons.
In the afternoon, hundreds of people had already gathered in the open air for an intercultural meal in Dresden's Neustadt to set an example for diversity and cosmopolitanism. 64 institutions and associations took part in the round table, to which participants brought their favorite dishes to offer to others. According to the police department, a total of 253 officers were on duty at the demonstrations in Dresden on Monday.