AfD party conference - Demonstrators want to break through the barrier: Use of pepper spray
Few hours before the start of the AfD-Federal Party Congress in Essen, there was a clash between demonstrators and the police early on Saturday morning around 5.45 AM. A larger group tried to overcome a roadblock, reported a police spokeswoman. This was prevented by forces from a hundred squads using pepper spray and batons. It was initially unknown whether there were injuries on the demonstrators' side. Previously, the night from Friday to Saturday had been overall quiet, the spokeswoman added further.
In Essen's Grugahalle, the AfD is holding a Federal Party Congress on Saturday and Sunday. Up to 100,000 people are expected for counter-demonstrations and -events. The police have several thousand officers on duty. On Friday morning, policewomen and policemen from Bremen, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony were visible on the streets around the event location.
The largest and largest protests will take place on Saturday. At 10.00 AM, a large demonstration is scheduled to begin at the main station. The participants then march through the city to the Grugahalle.
An initial peaceful protest with around 5000 participants had already taken place on Friday evening under the slogan "Bass against Hate".
Police news ticker
The clash between demonstrators and police at the roadblock near the AfD party conference in North Rhine-Westphalia was halted with pepper spray and batons from a hundred squads. Despite the early-morning incident, the larger demonstrations planned for Saturday, including a large protest starting at 10:00 AM at the main station and marching towards the Grugahalle, are expected to continue as planned. The AfD, known for their controversial views, locked themselves in for their conference, anticipating potential disruptions from these demonstrations.
