Protesters in Cologne holding signs condemning racism and sexism (Picture: EPA)

Thousands of Syrians took to the streets of Germany to protest against sexism and racism.

Holding placards saying ‘No to Sexism, No to Racism’ and ‘#SyriansAgainstSexism’, migrants demonstrated in the wake of the New Year’s Eve sexual assaults in Cologne.

People hold placards reading ‘We are against sexism’ and ‘We respect the values of German society’ (Picture: Reuters)

In Cologne, Syrians gathered with plaques condemning the attacks that took place in the city, and to thank the country for taking them in.

Refugees also gave out flowers to passers-by, and held signs saying: ‘We respect the values of German society’ and ‘We are all Cologne’.


Women from Syria protest during the demonstration (Picture: EPA) Women from Syria protest during the demonstration (Picture: EPA) People from Syria hold placards reading 'Syrians against sexism' (Picture: Reuters) People from Syria hold placards reading 'Syrians against sexism' (Picture:… A man from Syria holds a placard reading 'Syrians against sexism' (Picture: Reuters) A man from Syria holds a placard reading 'Syrians against sexism' (Picture:… A man holds Afghan flags next to a placard reading 'Afghan refugees against sexism' (Picture: Reuters) A man holds Afghan flags next to a placard reading 'Afghan refugees against… Syrian refugees hand over flyer reading "Syrians against Sexism"(Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Syrian refugees hand over flyer reading "Syrians against Sexism"(Picture:… Refugees from Syria present flowers to passers-by (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Refugees from Syria present flowers to passers-by (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Refugees from Syria present flowers to passers-by (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Refugees from Syria present flowers to passers-by (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Refugees from Syria hold a sign reading "No to violence against women"(Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Refugees from Syria hold a sign reading "No to violence against women"(Picture:…

Aeham Ahmad, a Syrian pianist who received the Beethoven Prize, performed outside the station where the Cologne attacks took place.

Syrian pianist Aeham Ahmad, winner of Beethoven Prize, plays during the rally in Cologne (Picture: Reuters)

Rallies were also organised in Stuttgart by labour unions, churches and other groups to condemn the attacks on women, subsequent attacks on asylum seekers, and rising Islamophobia across the country.



Police estimate that around 7,000 people turned up to protest.

Refugees from Syria present flowers to passers-by (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Protestant bishop Frank Otfried July told protesters: ‘Whether it’s cowardly arson attacks on homes for asylum seekers, foreigners being chased or sexist violence, we are showing it the red card.’

MORE: German swimming pool bans asylum seekers after Cologne attacks

MORE: Right wing rampage through Leipzig: German town badly damaged after riot over Cologne sex attacks

The peaceful demonstrations come after far-right extremists caused riots in Leipzig, targeting kebab shops, setting cars on fire and smashing shop windows.

Around 250 people from LEGIDA – a local branch of the xenophobic organisation PEGIDA – went on a rampage that mimicked the Kristallnacht attacks against Jewish people in 1938.