Parties - Massive protests against AfD party conference: use of pepper spray
With a mix of colorful protests and aggressive resistance, demonstrators in Essen protested against the beginning of the AfD-Party Congress. Activists attempted to block the streets with roadblocks on Saturday to prevent the delegates from reaching the Anreise to the Grugahalle. There were frequent scuffles with the police, who used batons and pepper spray in some instances. Some delegates were escorted to the Grugahalle by police under heavy protection as they waded through the agitated crowd. Several police officers and activists were injured. The congress began only slightly delayed.
From late morning onwards, the peaceful protest dominated: Tens of thousands - including many families - participated in a large demonstration through the city. The forces had estimated up to 100,000 participants in various actions against the AfD Party Congress during the weekend. Exact numbers of attendees were not available on Saturday.
Activists block streets and intersections
As early as Saturday morning, the Initiative Widersetzen called for the AfD delegates to be prevented from reaching the congress with sit-in protests. Activists occupied streets and intersections for several hours.
The police tried to keep the most important access roads to the Grugahalle clear with several thousand officers. Some blockaders were removed by the police. At a crossing, a group attempted to overcome a police barricade, according to the Einsatzkräfte. 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 gathered in a shopping street near the Grugahalle, outside a bakery where AfD politicians were staying. Forces from an intervention squad removed the politicians, according to a police spokesperson.
The congress finally began with a half-hour delay. The Initiative Widersetzen considered this a success of their blockades. AfD chairwoman Alice Weidel criticized the protests heavily. "What's going on out there has nothing to do with democracy," she said at the start of the congress.
Out of concern for disrupting the congress, the police secured the Grugahalle on all sides with massive forces. Water cannons were positioned at the central entrances. Left-extremists had previously threatened the AfD event with violent actions.
Tens of thousands march through the city in a colorful demonstration
From late morning onwards, the peaceful protest took center stage. The central demonstration march through the city stretched for several kilometers. Many participants had made colorful posters, demonstrating against intolerance and right-wing extremism.
At a central gathering in the afternoon, Essen's Mayor Thomas Kufen (CDU), Evonik CEO Christian Kullmann, and the President of the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Anna-Nicole Heinrich, were scheduled to speak. From the late afternoon onwards, a music program was planned.
The AfD is holding its federal party congress in Essen's Grugahalle on Saturday and Sunday, with new elections of the executive committee. The city of Essen had been looking for ways to prevent the AfD party congress for months - but was ultimately unsuccessful in court.
Police news ticker
- Despite the sit-in blockade attempts by activists to prevent the AfD party delegates from reaching the Grugahalle, the AfD party conference began with a slight delay.
- During the protests against the AfD party conference in North Rhine-Westphalia, demonstrators gathered near a shopping street where AfD politicians were staying, leading to interventions by police forces.
- Food supplies appeared to be an issue for some delegates at the AfD party conference in Essen, as they were escorted to the Grugahalle under heavy police protection due to the tense situation outside.
- In response to the aggressive resistance and protests against the AfD-Party Congress in Essen, the police secured the venue with massive forces, positioning water cannons at the central entrances amidst threats of violent actions from left-extremists.
