Protesters clashed with police in Essen as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party conference commenced. The AfD delegates gathered for a two-day meeting following their success in recent European elections. Police, already occupied with the Euro 2024 tournament, braced for potential unrest with mass counter-demonstrations anticipated from left-wing groups.
Social media footage depicted protesters attempting to breach a motorway entrance, thwarted by police employing batons and pepper spray. Essen police reported, 'A large group of people tried to overcome a barrier. Police officers prevented this by using pepper spray and batons.'
Widersetzen, the group organizing the protests, shared a video showing a sizable crowd clapping and chanting. Approximately 7,000 Widersetzen protesters were present in Essen on Saturday morning, with more expected later in the day.
On their website, Widersetzen called for 'colorful' civil disobedience during the AfD congress, emphasizing non-violence and disruption of AfD activities to hinder the spread of fascism.
Reports suggest up to 100,000 protesters, including around 1,000 potentially violent left-wing extremists, were anticipated to demonstrate on Saturday. Several arrests were made, and an AfD politician required police assistance to exit a bakery surrounded by aggressive demonstrators before being escorted to the conference hall under protection.
The AfD's party conference followed their historic EU election success, securing the second-highest vote share in Germany after the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Despite recent scandals, including controversial remarks by AfD politician Maximilian Krah, the party continues to gain support.
