Well....under Article 8 of the Basic Law (Constitution)....there are two rights or conditions.
First....ALL Germans have the right to assemble, but it notes in this language....it has to be done in a peaceful way, without any threatening 'weapons'. In this meaning...it also conveys that this is a indoor assembly.....where you don't need to tell the authorities or have the permission of the authorities.
Second, the next sentence gets to outdoor assemblies, where you do need permission, or you could be told local laws would prevail over your demonstration or assembly.
An example of this? You want to meet on some city park at noon with 1,000 folks (in a peaceful stance). The police will demand you apply for a permit and state the number of participants. If the park can handle 1,000 folks....no problem. If you were coming with 6,000 people and the park is over-taxed....the assembly will be denied.
If you brought up a protest situation and asked Germans if they've ever been to one.....the odds are...if they live in a town of 3,000 or less....they've never been to a protest in their life. If they've lived in Mainz or Frankfurt for their entire life....the vast majority will admit to several attendances. Some will tell you of forty-odd protest events that they've been to....being proud of the attendance 'rate'.
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