Tens of thousands peacefully attend Chemnitz anti-racism concert

It was the scene of violent far-right protests last week.

But on Monday (September 3) evening, tens of thousands gathered in the German city Chemnitz for a hastily arranged anti-racism concert.

The locals keen to show their city is not a haven for the far-right.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) LOCAL RESIDENT, ANDREA ULRICH, SAYING: "This is absolutely fantastic because as the people of Chemnitz we have to show that our city is colourful, open to everyone and that we have no sympathy for what has happened here in recent days." A week ago far right demonstrators clashed with leftist protesters and police in the eastern city after an Iraqi and a Syrian were arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old German man.

The fierce protests exposed the bitter divisions over Chancellor Angela Merkel's liberal immigration policy.

In 2015, Merkel welcomed a million people seeking asylum, mainly Muslims from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Divisions over the policy have dramatically changed Germany's political and social landscape, with a rise support for the far-right.

The AFD party, which says Islam is incompatible with the German constitution, entered the national parliament for first time in an election last year.