Reich citizens are planning a major meeting in Darmstadt – counter-demonstration expected

The nationwide scene of the so-called Reich Citizens wants to meet on Saturday (12 p.m.) in Darmstadt. Hundreds of people are also expected in the city center for a counter-demonstration. According to the Hessian State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the “Reichsbürger” event is a “large meeting of the 25 + 1 federal states”. According to the security authorities' findings, these meetings have been held at irregular intervals by "Reich citizens" and self-administrators since August 2023.

According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the meeting attracted supporters of the “1871 Movement” who propagated the continued existence of the German Empire from 1871. At “state meetings” there is a flag march, with each state of the historic German Empire being represented by “standard bearers”.

According to the city of Darmstadt, the organizers in the city center have registered 1,500 participants. The meeting is scheduled to last from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. At similar events in other cities, flags in the colors of the Empire were waved. The alliance wants to protest against the right in the immediate vicinity from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

According to a definition by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, “Reich citizens” are groups and people who do not recognize the Federal Republic as a state or its legal system and state organs. “Reich citizens deny the legitimacy of the Basic Law and the free constitutional state of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as its democratically elected representatives,” it says.