Pro-democracy rally in Torney to counter AfD's Sunday campaign event

A pro-democracy demonstration will take place in Torney this Sunday, March 15. Organised by the Pulse of Europe initiative, the event aims to counter an AfD campaign gathering happening at the same time. Around 150 people are expected to attend the hour-long rally.

The demonstration, titled Standing Together Against the AfD! Where Democracy Is Under Threat, We Take a Stand, has been officially approved by Neuwied city administration. It will run from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on the green space behind the Torney civic center.

The AfD's indoor campaign event will occur simultaneously in the same building. Unlike larger protests, this gathering will not disrupt traffic, as no road closures or restrictions have been planned. While similar counter-demonstrations have been held in other German cities, exact numbers for those events remain unclear in available reports. The Torney rally follows a growing trend of local responses to AfD activities, though organisers have not provided comparisons to past turnouts elsewhere.

The event will proceed without major logistical disruptions. Participants will gather outdoors, directly opposite the AfD's indoor meeting. Local authorities have confirmed no traffic or public order concerns are anticipated.