Bündnis Widersetzen draws criticism after journalist assaults in Erfurt

The anti‑AfD coalition Bündnis Widersetzen, which lists youth groups of the Left, Greens and SPD, the teachers’ union GEW and NGOs such as Fridays for Future, Campact and Sea‑Watch as supporters, organised blockades in Erfurt. During the action three Apollo News reporters were verbally abused, chased and physically assaulted – hit and kicked while on the ground. No organization has publicly withdrawn its support, even as the coalition’s spokesperson Noa Sander justified the violence by calling journalists "fascists with press credentials" and declined to denounce the attacks. SPD Heidelberg chair Tim Tugendhat called Sander’s remarks "false and unempathetic" and pointed to the coalition’s manifesto, which does not call for violence. GEW Bavaria reaffirmed its solidarity with the coalition, stating the campaign excludes endangering people and condemns attacks on journalists while a police investigation continues. A commentary program analysed the group’s rhetoric as totalitarian, arguing it seeks to delegitimize democratic parties and threaten the rule of law.