More than 15,000 people demonstrated against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the city of Essen in the west of the country and in Leipzig and Rostock in the east on Monday evening. In Essen, many carried banners with slogans such as: “Don’t let Nazis march or take part in government” or “Colourful instead of crappy brown.” Among the participants were groups like “Grandmas Against the Right” and the youth wing of the DGB trade union. The AfD has seen its popularity soar as it capitalizes on economic anxiety and migration fears. Poll numbers put the AfD as Germany’s second st…