Crowds of approximately a thousand protesters participate in the Fridays for Future climate strike in Düsseldorf

In the heart of Düsseldorf, Schadowplatz played host to a vibrant Fridays for Future (FFF) rally on Saturday. Over 1,000 people, many of them young, joined forces to demand urgent action against climate change.

The rally began with a call to action from "Düsseldorf stellt sich quer" (DSSQ), urging participants to join a demonstration against the AfD and Götz Kubitschek, scheduled for 12:00 PM in front of the DGB House. Maximilian Lykissas, the spokesperson for DSSQ, made a passionate public appeal, encouraging people to reject right-wing extremism and participate in the protest outside the Bürgerhaus Bilk.

Singer Milen entertained the crowd with a captivating performance before speeches began. The speakers expressed their frustration about the lack of focus on climate protection in the federal election and criticised the absence of serious climate protection plans in the election campaign, as well as announced setbacks.

FFF demands a phase-out of coal, oil, and gas, affordable climate-friendly alternatives for all, and fair financing by corporations and the super-rich. They also call for a disaster fund to provide swift aid for floods, storms, or droughts.

Greenpeace added their voice to the rally, initiating an action where top candidates received 2 cent coins to emphasise the need for the super-rich to contribute more towards climate change mitigation.

As the speeches concluded and Milen's performance ended, the rally grew in size, with nearly 1,000 participants joining the march behind the Tilly-Mottowagen.

On Saturday, another event titled "Remigration creates living space" has been registered by an unspecified group for the Oberbilker Market, adding to the day's political activity in Düsseldorf.

The nationwide climate strike, which included the Düsseldorf rally, saw over 130,000 people participate across more than 150 locations. Regardless of which government is formed, the climate crisis can no longer be ignored, according to FFF. The Tilly Mottowagen will also participate in the Fridays for Future demo on Saturday, adding to the growing momentum for climate action in Germany.

Crowds of approximately a thousand protesters participate in the Fridays for Future climate strike in Düsseldorf