TWITTER/WENN A 'huge' protest is being planned against Angela Merkel

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Thousands are expected to gather in the capital’s historic Washington Square for an anti-immigration rally, where they will be addressed by right-wing politicians. News of the gathering is being spread under the hashtag #Merkelmussweg - meaning Merkel must go - which has been used more than 1,500 times in 24 hours reaching hundreds of thousands of people.

Police are preparing for crowds of around 5,000 people from across the country to gather in the capital city from 3pm, with counter-demonstrations by anti-fascist groups also expected. The march is being organised by a coalition of anti-immigrant groups in Germany, where fears have been stoked by a succession of terrorist attacks carried out by refugees.

GETTY The German leader is under pressure over her open door asylum policy

FACEBOOK Swiss right-wing politician Ignaz Bearth will address the gathering

It has been sparked by Mrs Merkel’s refusal to alter her path on unlimited mass migration despite the atrocities, and has been quickly organised by mass movements online. Germans have been sharing a poster for the demonstration which shows a placard depicting Mrs Merkel dressed in a Burka next to its slogan “Merkel Must Go!”. Supporters will hear from right-wing speakers from across the continent and are demanding that Mrs Merkel change course on immigration, introducing a cap on numbers and tough new security checks on asylum seekers. Posting on Facebook, the Swiss right-wing politician Ignaz Bearth said he expected the protest to be “huge” and confirmed that he would be addressing the crowds.

GETTY There have been a number of recent anti-migrant protests in Germany

GETTY Tensions have been growing in the country after a spate of terror attacks

In a post advertising the march Wir Dur Deutschland, one of the organisers, said that it wanted the event to be “peaceful” and added: “We can navigate this difficult path if we all just go together”. The group said that all weapons and alcohol were banned at the march as was any Nazi or far-right apparel, but added that flags of “Germany and all European countries” were welcome. They told people to obey the police and added: “All participants must contribute to a peaceful and orderly event.” Mrs Merkel has been savaged online since her surprise announcement that she would not alter Germany’s immigration policy even in the face of a growing threat from Islamist terrorism.

She was branded a “traitor” and accused of “creating terrorism” by furious Germans, who used the Merkel Must Go hashtag to register their disgust with her leadership. Critics also mocked her famous phrase ‘we can do it’ - which she made when she first threw Germany’s doors open and repeated one more as she publicly renewed that stance this week. One user tweeted: “I suggest we make ‘we can do it’ the taboo phrase of the year.” And another added: “It is unbelievable. We can make it? Mrs Merkel and Co - WE cannot make it!”

Angela Merkel in pictures Tue, August 8, 2017 Angela Merkel has served as German Chancellor since 2005 and Leader of the Christian Democratic Union since 2000. We take a look at her political career in pictures. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 83 Angela Merkel through the years