Food - Boarded-up windows, massive checks before the AfD party conference
Window panes sealed, closed businesses, massive police checks: The security measures before the AfD party convention in Essen this weekend had already partially paralyzed the popular shopping and entertainment district Rüttenscheid on Friday. Residents could only reach their homes on foot and after an ID check. Car drivers had to circle the Grugahalle, where the AfD meets on Saturday and Sunday, at a distance. A police helicopter hovered over the city. The popular Grugapark with the large outdoor pool was also closed for safety reasons.
Law enforcement forces are preparing for up to 100,000 people to participate in protests against the AfD party convention. They are particularly concerned because they expect around 1,000 left-wing extremists to come to Essen to disrupt the convention.
A sign read "Unintentionally closed" in a gift shop on the usually lively Rüttenscheider Straße. "If the customers don't come to us anyway, I might as well close the shop," said a visibly annoyed shopkeeper. At some shop windows, plywood had been nailed up out of fear of disturbances.
A few kilometers outside the city on a field along the Rhur, a camp for demonstrators was filling up on Friday. The "Camp against Racism" was originally planned at a central location, but was banned there by the police due to security concerns - to the great annoyance of the organizers. Now, the up to 4,000 activists have to pitch their tents on a meadow at the city limit to Bochum.
The AfD intends to elect a new board at the party convention on Saturday and Sunday. The city of Essen had been looking for ways to prevent the AfD party convention for months - but ultimately failed in court.
City Essen to the Demonstration Weekend Jointly Loud Resistance Police Newsletter
- Despite the AfD party conference in North Rhine-Westphalia over the weekend, several local parties decided to continue their operations, albeit with reduced activities due to the increased security measures.
- The police conducted rigorous checks at the entrance of the Grugahalle during the AfD party conference, leading many to opt for takeout food rather than dine at the venue.
- During the AfD party conference weekend, an unprecedented number of demonstrations were held in Germany, resulting in a significant excess of police personnel being deployed across various cities.
- On Sunday, the AfD party supporters gathered for a peaceful rally at the party conference, while counter-protests against the AfD party conference continued throughout the city of Essen.
- The AfD party conference weekend was marked by tense and heated exchanges between pro-AfD demonstrators and left-wing extremists, leading to several skirmishes necessitating the intervention of the police.
- The police in North Rhine-Westphalia were forced to divert resources from regular duties to ensure the security of the AfD party conference, causing a noticeable absence of officers during the weekend in several parts of the region.
