Thousands march for life in Berlin and Cologne

Thousands of people participated in Germany's annual March for Life on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Berlin and Cologne to protest abortion and assisted suicide. Organizers estimated the combined turnout in both cities at approximately 6,000 people.

In Cologne, counterdemonstrators targeted the event at Neumarkt square. According to the Catholic weekly Die Tagespost, two individuals wearing green vests moved toward an information stand operated by the pro-life foundation Stiftung Ja zum Leben and threw paint at it. CNA Deutsch reported that the attackers also used purple smoke bombs. During the march, counterdemonstrators pushed toward the stage with a banner, and one individual who sprayed a banner with paint faces a criminal complaint for property damage.

The Cologne rally, organized by Mona Schwaderlapp, followed a route past the Basilica of the Holy Apostles before returning to Neumarkt. While police had registered the march for 3,000 people and expected 3,000 participants for a pro-choice counter-event, they did not provide official figures for the actual turnout. Several Catholic bishops attended the demonstrations or sent messages of support.