Germany: Hundreds of HoGeSa ‘hooligans’ rally in Cologne

Hundreds of supporters of the far-right HoGeSa (Hooligans against Salafists) organisation protested in Cologne on Sunday, with heavy security measures and a large contingent of police in place to prevent potential outbreaks of violence. Protesters were banned from marching by the authorities and closely watched by hundreds of police drafted in to guard the protest. An anti-fascist counter demonstration took place simultaneously nearby, where police used pepper spray and water cannon to block protesters from trying to reach the HoGeSa gathering. The HoGeSa rally, which reportedly drew 1,000 activists, was organised to oppose the supposed rise of Salafism in Germany. The event was held in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the 4,000 strong HoGeSa demonstration that took place in October 2014. Last year’s rally ended in clashes between police and members of anti-fascist organisations.