In the evening over 30,000 people demonstrated for open-mindedness and tolerance. Beforehand, a packed St Nicholas' Church prayed for peace for the right to asylum and against xenophobia. As a sign of tolerance, the lights on the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, the Arena Leipzig and the Red Bull Arena were switched off.
Around 4,800 people took part in the rally and demonstration under the motto "LEGIDA-Leipzig against the Islamisation of the West". The route had to be shortened on account of blockades by LEGIDA opponents.
The police stated that the majority of the LEGIDA opponents protested in a creative and peaceful manner. However, the LEGIDA demonstration was accompanied by isolated incidents that were caused by several small groups. Bottles, bags of faeces and smoke bombs were thrown at police officers on several occasions. Pepper spray was also used against the police, which resulted in two officers being injured. A car and several dustbins were set on fire. Leipzig Police Headquarters is already conducting investigations in this respect.
The demonstration led to serious traffic disruptions.