Dresden: Violent Clashes At Neo-Nazi Rally

A week after the marking of the 66th anniversary of the World War II Allied air attack on Dresden was attended by some 17,000 people, the left-wing groups organized a counter rally against the second authorized Neo-Nazi gathering that took place on Saturday.

In order to keep left-wing protesters and right-wing extremists from clashing, police used tear gas and water canons. The leftists, supported by unions, democratic parties and civil society groups, tried to break through police barriers, using rocks and fireworks.

According to the police, at least 50 officers were injured, and tens of protesters arrested.

The protest was attended by some 600 Neo-Nazis, and up to 21,000 leftists, the local sources reported.

An official commission said that 25,000 people were killed in the bombing, at a time when critics say the war had already been decided.

Last Sunday some 17,000 people formed a three-kilometer human chain marking the 66th anniversary of the allied fire bombing on the city at the end of World War II. At the same time, few hundreds Neo-Nazis rallied for a “funeral march” through Dresden to commemorate the same event.

The Allied bombing of Dresden in the World War II happened between 13 February and 15 February 1945. According to a German government commission a maximum of 25,000 people were killed. However, other sources said the death toll reached up to 100,000 people. The city was destroyed.

The WWII bombing of Dresden is often seen as controversial as there are concerns if the air aid of such intensity was justified.