Protesters say: “It’s not a Nazi salute like “Heil Hitler” if we keep our fist closed.”
No,it’s a communist salute,instead.
A distinction without a difference
I believe the Nazis adopted the salute from the Italians, who in turn had revived an ancient Roman custom. Back when it was done by the Roman Empire's soldiers, the open-hand salute had a specific meaning: "See, I bear no weapon (or ill intent)".
Now then, what could a clenched fist salute signify?