City of Essen - Violent actions also announced for the AfD party conference
One day before the controversial AfD federal party conference in Essen, demonstrators opposed to the AfD gathered, with the police mobilizing significant forces. Nordrhein-Westfalia's Interior Minister, Herbert Reul (CDU,) told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) that they expected up to 80,000 demonstrators over the weekend. This number could even reach 100,000, added a ministry spokesperson.
The police are reportedly focusing on around 1,000 left-extremist protesters from all over Germany and abroad, who are expected in Essen. The scene has announced plans to prevent the party conference from taking place through violent actions. The police have already shown a strong presence at central locations in the city.
The larger protest actions begin in the evening with a rave demo, where several thousand people are expected. Well-known DJs will perform, and music trucks will travel in a demo train from the main station to the Grugahalle, where the AfD will meet on Saturday and Sunday.
The security measures have already partially paralyzed the popular shopping and entertainment district of Rüttenscheid. Residents could only reach their homes on foot and after an ID check. Car drivers had to detour around the Grugahalle. Bus and streetcar services were suspended on several lines. A police helicopter circled above the city. A popular park with a swimming pool was also closed for security reasons. At some storefronts, plywood boards were nailed over the windows out of fear of disturbances.
Up to 4,000 activists are camping at the "Camp against Racism"
A few kilometers outside the city on a free area along the Rhur, a tent camp for up to 4,000 activists was filling up. The "Camp against Racism" was originally planned at a central location, but was banned there by the police - much to the dismay of the organizers.
The actions are the prelude to a whole series of rallies, demonstrations, and assemblies that will accompany the two-day AfD federal party conference in the Essen Grugahalle on Saturday and Sunday. The peak is expected on Saturday. At least 45,000 demonstrators are expected at a centrally organized assembly, according to police estimates.
The police are deploying several thousand officers. Conflict potential exists above all when left-wing activists fulfill their announcements and try to block the arrival of the approximately 600 delegates to the party conference. An initiative has announced sit-in protests at the Grugahalle for the early morning of Saturday. The police warned demonstrators explicitly against such actions. "Obstructive blockades, which aim to disrupt or prevent the AfD federal party conference, are a criminal offense," the police emphasized.
Reul: Ensuring the party conference's protection "very robustly"
Interior Minister Reul appealed for understanding for the police deployment. "The equality of all political parties is a fundamental element of our free and democratic basic order." Therefore, the police will ensure an unobstructed course of the party conference and, if necessary, "very robustly" protect it.
The AfD will choose a new executive board during their party convention on Saturday and Sunday. The city of Essen had been trying for months to prevent the AfD party convention - but ultimately failed in court.
- Despite the anticipation of up to 100,000 demonstrators, the police are focused on approximately 1,000 left-extremist protesters at the AfD party conference in Essen.
- The CDU's Herbert Reul, North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister, expressed his expectations to Editorial Network Germany (RND), estimating up to 80,000 demonstrators for the weekend.
- The police in Germany have been mobilized for the AfD federal party conference, anticipating numerous demonstrations throughout the weekend.
- On Sunday, the controversial AfD federal party conference will take place in Essen, drawing significant opposition and police presence.
- The police have taken numerous security measures to ensure a peaceful conference, including street closures, suspended transportation services, and a helicopter patrol.
- The AfD party conference in Essen will face protests both inside and outside the Grugahalle, with demonstrations planned for Saturday and Sunday.
- The 'Camp against Racism' has been set up outside the city, housing approximately 4,000 activists who initially intended to protest at a central location but were banned by the police.
- The police have warned demonstrators against obstructive actions, emphasizing that any attempts to block the AfD party conference are a criminal offense.
