For the first time in years, violent clashes broke out during the demonstrations to commemorate the Allied bombing raid on Pforzheim on the evening of February 23, 1945.

The attack had occurred shortly before the end of the war, lasted 22 minutes and completely destroyed around two thirds of the built-up area of ​​Pforzheim.

At least 18,000 people died.

Ruediger Soldt

Political correspondent in Baden-Württemberg.

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On the Wartberg in the north of Pforzheim, a right-wing splinter group calling itself “A Heart for Germany” has been demonstrating for years on February 23;

Almost every year in the city center there are two demonstration marches: from the synagogue square to the main train station, a demonstration marches with the title “Pforzheim against the right”, in which more moderate forces take part.

In addition, almost every year, the initiative "Don't hesitate long" gathers in front of the train station. Militant anti-fascists often take part in it, most of whom apparently come from Karlsruhe, Freiburg or Stuttgart.

The aim of this group is to break up and disrupt the rally of around twenty right-wing extremists on the Wartberg.

The police tried again this year to prevent a direct clash between militant "anti-fascists" and right-wing extremists: "The closer the demonstrators approached the Wartberg, the more the police officers were attacked," said Andreas Bjedov, the operations manager of the Pforzheim police.

Because the militant demonstrators set off numerous firecrackers and almost managed to storm the right-wing rally, the police broke up the gathering at around 8 p.m.

Numerous demonstrators are being investigated for violating the ban on assembly and for breaching the peace and for assaulting law enforcement officers.

Last year there had been no demonstrations in Pforzheim to commemorate the night of the bombing;

Due to the corona pandemic, all organizers had waived registration.

In 2020, the city - after the right-wing extremist and xenophobic attack in Hanau - tried to ban the demonstration marches, but it failed before the administrative court in Karlsruhe and the administrative court in Mannheim.

Also this year, the alliance "Pforzheim Nazi-free" spoke out in favor of banning all events and erecting a memorial against terror and violence on the Wallberg.