North Rhine-Westphalia: 11,000 people at demonstrations in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - According to the police, a total of 11,000 people took to the streets in Düsseldorf during two demonstrations.

North Rhine-Westphalia: 11,000 people at demonstrations in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - According to the police, a total of 11,000 people took to the streets in Düsseldorf during two demonstrations. On Christopher Street Day (CSD) on Saturday, 6,000 people set an example for diversity and respect with a colorful demonstration through the city towards the banks of the Rhine. The 19th CSD is taking place this weekend in Düsseldorf under the motto "Live and let live".

The actions are reminiscent of the so-called Stonewall uprisings worldwide. They were a series of violent clashes between homosexuals and police officers on Christopher Street in New York in 1969.

At the same time, around 5,000 people took part in a demonstration by the "Defend Kurdistan" initiative. The umbrella organization of Kurdish cultural associations (Kon-Med) had called for nationwide protests against the "Turkish war of aggression".

"Both demonstrations were peaceful," said a police spokesman. The organizers of the Kurdish demo spoke of 20,000 participants. "While media and public attention is focused on the war in Ukraine, Turkish drones fly daily attacks on Rojava, Shengal and northern Iraq," said a speaker.