- Law enforcement officers guide AfD protesters to designated parking area
Following a lethal incident at a city festival, right-wing and left-wing protestors confronted each other in Solingen on Sunday night. The youth wing of the AfD, known as the Young Alternative, had arranged an event under the slogan "Return migration saves lives". This prompted a coalition of left-wing organizations to organize a counter-protest.
Approximately 30 young individuals from the right-wing faction attended the Young Alternative event, as reported by Stern. They raised a banner saying "Our people come first". Law enforcement maintained order at the scene. Meanwhile, numerous counter-demonstrators gathered in the side streets.
AfD affiliate announces protest in Solingen
As the initial left-wing protesters arrived at the right-wing gathering's location after ten minutes, a confrontation between the two groups seemed imminent. Only ten meters separated the left-wing demonstrators from the right-wing rally, with a police barrier acting as a barrier. While the left-wingers shouted "Nazis out. United against fascism", the right-wingers struggled to keep their rally going. Unfortunately, one of the right-wing demonstrators accidentally knocked over the candles and broke several glass containers during their retreat.
Left-wing protesters obstruct city center exits
After the AfD demonstration ended, left-wing protesters temporarily blocked all exits from the city center. They were left stranded in a street surrounded by police and counter-demonstrators. "We're keeping them confined to the alley," was the initial comment shared among the officers.
The authorities eventually escorted the right-wing demonstrators to a city parking garage, with individual attempts by counter-demonstrators to intervene failing. "There were no serious incidents," confirmed police spokesperson Kim Freigang to Stern on the spot.
The tension between the two groups escalated further when a knife attack occurred among the right-wing demonstrators. Their retreat was disrupted as they knocked over candles and broke several glass containers, leading to chaos.
Despite the incident, the authorities successfully managed to evacuate the right-wing demonstrators to a city parking garage, avoiding any major escalation or clashes with the counter-demonstrators.
