Protests against AfD party conference in Essen: Police report several arrests
Protest demonstrations had already begun early on Saturday morning. The group Widersetzen aims to prevent the arrival of AfD delegates. In addition, the coalition "Together Loud" had called for a large demonstration in the morning.
The two-day Federal Party Congress of the AfD had started on Friday. Both party leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel, as well as the rest of the Federal Executive Committee, were standing for re-election before the 600 delegates. In addition, the future orientation of the party in the European Parliament had to be discussed and debated, as well as the upcoming state elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg in September and possible power options there.
The Essen police had clarified beforehand that "peaceful protests, in particular blocking actions that aim to disturb or prevent the AfD Federal Party Congress", were a criminal offense and did not fall under the constitutional freedom of assembly. "Disruptions will be consistently prevented and criminal offenses (resolutely) pursued", it was stated.
ilo/yb
- The protest rally organized by the coalition "Together Loud" took place in the same District where the AfD party conference was being held.
- Despite the police warning about blocking actions being a criminal offense, several arrests were made during the protests against the AfD Federal Party Conference.
- The lunch menu for the AfD delegates at the Federal Party Congress included various food options, but the protests outside disrupted their usual schedule.
- The Widersetzen group continued their protests throughout the two-days of the Federal Party Conference of the AfD, but the police maintained order and ensured that the conference ran smoothly.
