German far right draws 1,500 to anti-refugee demo

11/16/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Germany-Refugee-Camp-Demonstration

    A left-wing demonstrator holds a poster behind the police as he demonstrates against a protest by extreme right-wing organizations who are against a refugee camp with immigrants and asylum-seekers initiated by NPD (National Democratic Party of Germany) in Schneeberg, eastern Germany, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    • SCHNEEBERG, Germany — A protest organized by Germany’s biggest far-right party has drawn hundreds to a torch-lit march against refugees for the second time this month.

    Today's demonstration, organized by the right-wing NPD party, was directed against the opening of a reception center for asylum seekers in the small eastern town of Schneeberg.

    Police spokesman Heidi Hennig says several participants are being investigated for carrying illegal weapons and attacking a press photographer.

    Hennig says there were minor clashes with left-wing counterdemonstrators.

    Some 1,500 people also took part in a peaceful march for tolerance organized by town officials.