'Halle Without Us': Immigrant shopkeepers strike against far right in Saxony-Anhalt

“Halle Without Us?” was a coordinated one-day protest by immigrant business owners in Halle. Barbershops, restaurants, small retailers, and other businesses pulled down their shutters. They wanted residents to see how much the city depends on immigrants and their work.

About 30 businesses marked their closures with red-and-white tape. The action made immigrants’ economic contribution visible by temporarily removing everyday services from the city. Organisers also used the protest to speak against racism, attacks, and fear after the far-right AfD won nearly 44 percent in the state election.

The closures showed both participation and anxiety. Dalal Mirzo said many other businesses did not join because they feared repercussions from far-right customers. The protest therefore highlighted a difficult reality: immigrant businesses help Halle function, while their owners increasingly fear whether they can safely remain there.

The protest had two visible parts. About 30 businesses, including barbershops, restaurants, and small retailers, shut for the day. Around 200 people separately gathered in Halle’s market square to oppose the uncertainty facing immigrants and refugees.

The political backdrop was especially striking. The far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, won nearly 44 percent of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt’s September state election. That result intensified concerns among immigrant residents and business owners, who reported more open racism and attacks after the vote.

The figures show both the scale of the local protest and the strength of the political challenge. Thirty businesses demonstrated their economic role, while 200 people joined the public gathering. The AfD’s nearly 44 percent share helps explain why many immigrants were discussing whether they could continue living and working in the region.

The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is a far-right German political party. In Saxony-Anhalt, it campaigned on pledges of mass deportations and used the slogan “Remigration now!” The article presents that message as a central reason immigrants fear the party’s success.

The slogan is connected to the party’s deportation position. Regional lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund promised to deport all foreigners living illegally in the state if the AfD took power. The article does not define every group covered by “remigration,” but it clearly links the slogan to removing foreigners through mass deportation policies.

The AfD won nearly 44 percent in the state election, although it fell just short of an outright majority. That result has made many immigrants question their future in Saxony-Anhalt. Some say racism has become more overt since the election, while others are considering leaving the region.

Immigrant shopkeepers worry because the AfD campaigned on mass deportations and won nearly 44 percent of the state vote. Its regional candidate promised to deport foreigners living illegally in Saxony-Anhalt. That message has made some residents uncertain about whether they can safely remain.

The fear is also tied to daily experience. Dalal Mirzo said racism and attacks had increased since the election. Many businesses avoided the protest because their owners feared repercussions from far-right customers. Mamad Mohamad said racism had become overt in streets, workplaces, schools, and daily life.

This uncertainty affects both personal safety and economic security. Mohamad-Samer said Syrians and other foreigners could not stay, while others discussed leaving. Fadi Darwish felt he could rebuild elsewhere, but hoped neighbours would recognise Arab immigrants’ contributions. Continued departures could weaken local businesses and deepen the region’s demographic problems.

Immigrant workers and business owners fill important economic and community roles in Halle and Saxony-Anhalt. They run restaurants, barbershops, retail stores, and other businesses. Their departure would remove both services and the people who keep them operating.

The article gives a direct warning from Mamad Mohamad, a regional Greens Party MP. He said the region is undergoing a profound demographic shift and that everything would grind to a halt if people left. The protest itself demonstrated this mechanism: when about 30 businesses closed, their absence became immediately visible.

Saxony-Anhalt has already lost a quarter of its population since German reunification, while its population has aged and shrunk for decades. Further departures could intensify labour shortages and reduce local services. The article reports daily messages from people planning to leave, making retention a pressing concern for the region’s future.

The article describes a long-term demographic pattern across the former communist East Germany, including Saxony-Anhalt. For decades, the population has been ageing and shrinking. Since German reunification in 1990, Saxony-Anhalt has lost a quarter of its population.

The text does not identify one precise cause for that loss. It presents ageing and population decline as an established regional condition. It also shows the consequence for the workforce: the state needs people to run businesses and services, while some immigrants are considering leaving because of racism and political uncertainty.

This history makes the current situation more serious. A shrinking, ageing region has fewer residents available to sustain its economy. If immigrant workers and owners depart, Saxony-Anhalt could lose more of the people helping it function. Mamad Mohamad therefore warned that further departures could cause everything to grind to a halt.

Migration, ageing, and worker availability are closely connected in a declining region. An ageing, shrinking population means fewer people are available to run businesses and provide services. New residents, including immigrants, can help fill that gap through work and entrepreneurship.

Halle’s protest made the mechanism concrete. Around 30 immigrant-owned businesses closed, including restaurants, barbershops, and retailers. Their temporary absence showed what daily life might look like if immigrant owners and workers left permanently. Mamad Mohamad said everything could grind to a halt if people departed.

The issue is especially urgent in Saxony-Anhalt, which has lost a quarter of its population since reunification. Yet racism and fear may push away people the region needs. If immigrants stay, their businesses and labour support local life. If they leave, population decline and reduced services could reinforce each other.