Food - Aggressive blockades and colorful demo: Protest against the AfD
With a mix of colorful protests and aggressive resistance, demonstrators in Essen protested against the beginning of the AfD-Bundesparteitag. Activists attempted to prevent delegates from reaching the convention by blocking streets and intersections with sit-ins early on Saturday morning. There were frequent altercations with the police, who used batons and pepper spray in some instances. Some delegates were escorted to the Grugahalle under heavy police protection amidst an agitated crowd. Over a dozen police officers and several activists were injured. The convention began slightly delayed.
Starting in the late morning, a peaceful protest by numerous citizens took over: Tens of thousands - including many families - participated in a large demonstration through the city. In the popular shopping and entertainment district around the Rüttenscheider Straße, a lively scene unfolded under the shining sun.
Activists block streets and intersections
Early on Saturday morning, left-wing groups set the tone: The Initiative Widersetzen called for the AfD delegates to be blocked from reaching the convention with sit-ins. Activists blocked streets and intersections for several hours. There were frequent clashes with the police. Some activists were temporarily surrounded. Several arrests were reported.
Activists chanted that the police were "the thug squad of the AfD". NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) expressed shock. "When I hear that some demonstrators then insult our police forces as 'Nazi policemen' or otherwise, I will really get angry," he said.
The police ensured that the most important access roads to the Grugahalle remained clear with several thousand officers. At a crossroads, a group of people attempted to override a police blockade, according to the response teams. Forces from a squadron used pepper spray and batons to prevent this. Several ambulances were called, a police spokesperson said. Several representatives of the activists criticized the police for excessive force.
Demonstrators besieged a bakery where AfD politicians were present. Forces from an intervention squad extracted the politicians, according to a police spokesperson. The situation was tense.
Weidel: "Has nothing to do with democracy"
The convention finally began with a half-hour delay. The Initiative Widersetzen considered this a success of their blockades. AfD chair Alice Weidel delivered harsh criticism of the protests. "What's going on out there has nothing to do with democracy," she said at the start of the convention.
Out of concern for disrupting the convention, the police secured the Grugahalle with massive forces. Water cannons were stationed at the central entrances. Left-wing extremists had previously threatened the AfD event with violent actions.
Already on the Friday evening, numerous AfD delegates, including deputy AfD parliamentary group leader Beatrix von Storch, were welcomed by demonstrators with loud chanting at the main train station.
In the late morning, the protests of the moderate camp began. The central demonstration march through the city stretched over several kilometers. Many participants had made colorful posters, demonstrating against intolerance and right-wing extremism. The organizers of the initiative Gemeinsam Laut spoke of 50,000 demonstration participants. The police initially did not give their own estimates. NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) welcomed the protest. "The many thousands of demonstrators in Essen show: In North Rhine-Westphalia, there is no place for incitement, hate, and right-wing extremism," he said.
At a central gathering that the city Essen had organized in the afternoon on the large Messeparkplatz P2, the participant numbers were, however, significantly below expectations. A city spokeswoman spoke of "around 25,000 participants" - however, most of them were only still there after the end of the demonstration march and had already started their way home before the beginning of the stage program.
The AfD federal party conference in the Essen Grugahalle is still running until this Sunday. On Sunday morning, however, no massive protests are expected anymore - only a vigil has been registered.
The city Essen had been looking for ways to prevent the AfD party conference for months - but was ultimately unsuccessful in court.
Police news ticker
- Herbert Reul, the CDU's NRW Interior Minister, expressed his disapproval towards the activists who referred to the police as the "thug squad of the AfD."
- The Initiative Widersetzen, a left-wing group, urged activists to block streets and intersections to prevent the AfD delegates from reaching the convention.
- Alice Weidel, the AfD chair, criticized the protests, stating that "what's going on out there has nothing to do with democracy."
- Demonstrators attempted to besiege a bakery where AfD politicians were present, leading to intervention by the police.
- In an effort to secure the Grugahalle, the convention venue, the police deployed massive forces, including water cannons at the central entrances.
- During the demonstrations, some activists claimed that the police used excessive force, while others were arrested for their participation in the protest blockades.
- The AfD federal party conference is still ongoing in Essen's Grugahalle, with only a vigil expected on Sunday morning.
