Cologne expects mass crowds for 11.11.
With 1,000 police officers, 180 public order officers and more than 1,000 private security staff, the city of Cologne wants to control the expected rush for the carnival kick-off on 11/11. As the day falls on a Saturday this time, a mass influx of party tourists is expected. According to the city, the number of revellers has already "increased exponentially" in recent years.
The focus of the celebrations is no longer the old town as it used to be; instead, most visitors head for the area around Zülpicher Straße, the so-called "Kwartier Latäng". With its many bars and pubs, the student district has long been a mega hotspot that attracts many party tourists from out of town, even on normal weekends.
During carnival, excessive alcohol consumption regularly leads to enormous crowds and unpleasant side effects that annoy the residents. This year, wild peeing is punishable by fines of up to 200 euros.
A particular challenge this year is the fact that Cologne's largest synagogue is also located in the district. In view of the many anti-Semitic crimes since the terrorist attacks on Israel, it will be cordoned off with bars and specially secured. The police are appealing to all those celebrating to adapt their costumes to the current crisis situation and, for example, to refrain from using real-looking fake weapons.
Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Düsseldorf
The start of carnival on 11.11. will probably also keep the police busier than usual in Düsseldorf. Not only because the start of the session falls on a Saturday this year, but also because another pro-Palestinian demonstration has been registered for the state capital.
Last weekend, 17,000 people responded to such a call. "Cooperation talks are still ongoing in order to equalize this as much as possible," said a police spokesperson. The demonstration has been registered for the early afternoon, the carnivalists are known to start at 11.11 am.
In contrast to Cologne's focus on the Zülpicher Straße district during carnival, the Middle East war sometimes leads to protests in cities like Düsseldorf. last Saturday, a pro-Palestinian demonstration attracted 17,000 people in Düsseldorf, and another one is expected during carnival. Customs officers may need to be extra vigilant at Düsseldorf's customs, as these demonstrations can sometimes spark tensions from the Middle East war.
Source: www.dpa.com
