A rally in support of migrants fleeing the Syrian conflict and other hardships drew tens of thousands to Vienna on Saturday, organisers and police said. Austria has been a key transit point for many refugees reaching eastern Europe, and organisers said their bid to show public solidarity drew some 60,000 into the capital's streets.
Police put the total nearer 20,000 as a good-natured throng converged in front of the railway station from where many of the refugees have continued their odyssey through to neighbouring Germany. Charitable groups and NGOs called the rally with the slogan "Welcome Refugees!"
"All refugees are welcome, whether their flight be due to war, persecution or other causes," a spokesman said as the marchers wound their way down the central Mariahilferstrasse thoroughfare before coming to a halt outside parliament. "It is important to show solidarity and welcome refugees and show that in Austria we have a liberal and welcoming culture," one marcher who gave his name Georg told AFP.
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