Article snippet: More than 500 neo-Nazis took to the streets of Berlin on Saturday to observe the 30th anniversary of the death of Rudolf Hess, the onetime deputy to Hitler. Hess, once one of Hitler’s designated successors, was the last survivor of the 19 German officials convicted by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg in 1946. Hess was sentenced to life in prison, and committed suicide at the age of 93 in Spandau Prison in Berlin in 1987. Many of the Nazi sympathizers who gathered in his honor, and who often sport intimidating tattoos like the wolf above, believe that Hess was killed and revere him as a martyr. About 1,000 members of left-wing groups organized counterprotests, with the police detaining some of them, including the man above. Far-right extremists in Germany are not allowed to display Nazi symbols, or use the stiff-armed “Hitler salute.” But marches are permitted if they abide by those restrictions. Far-right organizers were told that they could not glorify Hess or the Nazi regime, or carry weapons, drums or torches. They were also told that they could bring only one flag for every 25 participants. The flag of choice was the black, white and red one used during the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. The Hess supporters were forced to turn back about a half-mile short of Spandau Prison because of a blockade formed by counterprotesters like the woman above. Among those demonstrating against the neo-Nazis was Jossa Bentja from the western city of Koblenz. ... Link to the full article to read more
500 Neo-Nazis Rally in Berlin, and Meet Strong Opposition - The New York Times
>