Police officers seriously injured by kicks to the head
The demonstration against the AfD party convention in Essen began peacefully. According to police reports, there were several violent attacks that followed. Two officers were severely injured and taken to the hospital. When police officers of the riot squad provided an escort for an AfD delegate towards the Grugahalle, they were reportedly attacked "from the head" by unknown assailants. The officers were then kicked while they were on the ground.
During a demonstration against the AfD party convention in Essen, two policemen were severely injured. According to Essen police, the officers were attacked by unknown individuals while providing an escort for an AfD delegate towards the Grugahalle. The officers were reportedly kicked while they were on the ground. Seven more were reportedly lightly injured in the incident. The perpetrators escaped in the crowd. The police are now reviewing video recordings of the incident and are asking for witness statements.
There were several demonstrations against the two-day AfD party convention in Essen that began on Saturday. According to police reports, several tens of thousands of people protested peacefully in the afternoon. However, a blockade action in the morning was violent.
In addition to the two severely injured and seven lightly injured officers, eleven other police officers were injured. In the Rüttenscheid neighborhood, there were reportedly disturbances: people attacked police officers and attempted to break through barricades. "There were some acts of resistance and physical attacks on police officers," the police reported. The police responded with pepper spray, batons, and "immediate force," as they stated. Earlier reports indicated that several people were arrested.
AfD chairpersons Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla expressed shock over the physical attacks on police officers during the demonstrations against the party convention in Essen. Chrupalla called the violence "damaging" for the party. Weidel described the incidents as "scandalous." Chrupalla also expressed his concern as a sign of societal division. "It's alarming what's happening at our doorstep," Chrupalla said. He wished for the injured a "quick recovery" and hoped that nothing worse would happen. Weidel was "shocked" by what was happening in Essen.
Faeser: Condemning Violence - "Strong Democratic Forces and Peaceful Protests Needed"
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wrote on Twitter, "Against right-wing extremism and racism, we need strong democratic forces and peaceful protests. Violence is not justifiable under any circumstances." Faeser thanked the police for their efforts against "left-wing chaos."
Wuest: Thanking the Police and Praising Peaceful Protesters
North Rhine-Westphalia Minister President Hendrik Wuest thanked the police for their efforts. He praised the peaceful protesters for their engagement. "The many thousands of demonstrators in Essen show: In North Rhine-Westphalia, there is no place for hate, hatred, and right-wing extremism," said the CDU politician at the press conference. "It's a strong sign of civil society for our democracy that so many people are taking to the streets against anti-democrats."
Clear it is also: Violence will not be tolerated. Everyone can discuss issues as fiercely as they want - but violence should never be an option, he made clear. The peacefully demonstrating people displayed the sign "Heart instead of Hate, Respect instead of Racism".
Despite the peaceful start of the demonstrations against the AfD party conference in Essen, political tensions led to violent incidents involving police officers. Protests and demonstrations against the AfD party's policies have become a regular occurrence in various parts of Germany.
