Neo-Nazi Protest Upstaged

More than 6,000 people staged a counterprotest in Würzburg Saturday as around 150 neo-Nazi demonstrators marched in memory of the 60th anniversary of the Allied bombings. Some 50 organisations marched under the slogan of "All colours but brown," in reference to the Nazi brown shirts, as the neo-Nazi National Democratic party (NPD) marked the March 16, 1945 bombardment of this small Bavarian town by allied forces during World War II. No incidents were reported. "The NPD slogan of 'Never forgive, never forget' is ridiculous," said Josef Schuster, a member of the local Jewish community. "We will never forget what was done in Germany and around Europe by the criminals they are honouring," he added. The marches followed new legislation passed by the German upper house of parliament Friday to curb neo-Nazi marches amid concerns the extreme-right will target celebrations to mark the end of the war in Europe. The far right, led by the NPD, is planning to march past the new Holocaust memorial in Berlin and to the Brandenburg Gate on May 8, the 60th anniversary of Germany's capitulation. Last month, 4,000 right-wing extremists rallied in Dresden on the 60th anniversary of the Allied bombing that devastated the city.