Tumult in a demonstration against the far-right AfD

 

Germany
Huge protests and riots in Germany

Matilda Aprea

Published 12.24

Large demonstrations in Essen, Germany. Photo: Henning Kaiser / AP

There is a party congress for the far-right party AfD in the German city of Essen.

The police expect over 100,000 counter-demonstrators to gather during the day.

Riots broke out already in the early morning when thousands of protesters tried to break through police cordons.

Riots have broken out in the German city of Essen.

The reason is that the far-right party AfD will have a congress on Saturday.

This has led to over 100,000 counter-protesters being expected during the day.

Early in the morning, a large group of protesters tried to break through a police cordon.

At a bakery in the city where a politician from Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) was, police had to barricade themselves at the entrance and push back an aggressive mob.

           

           

         

          The police stand between protesters and the AfD politicians on their way to the congress.

          1 / 3Photo: AP

The police had to put on helmets, form a chain and push back protesters while they escorted the politician out to the fair hall where the congress is to be held.

Reports from various German newspapers testify to how AfD politicians were constantly surrounded by protesters on their way to the congress. According to the police, it was almost impossible to escort them to the hall, writes the German newspaper Bild.
 

Uses pepper spray and batons

The police have been forced to use both pepper spray and batons, reports the German newspaper DW.

Despite the commotion that broke out, no injuries have been reported.

Over two days, 600 participants from the far-right AfD will meet to, among other things, appoint a new national leadership. Just weeks earlier, the party made a record election - despite several scandals.

The police now fear that violence will break out from the approximately one thousand left-wing extremists who are expected to demonstrate.

Not far from Essen, the football European Championship is taking place and on Saturday evening the round of 16 final between the host nation Germany and Denmark takes place.

Party leader Alice Weidel speaks at the AfD congress. Photo: Bernd Von Jutrczenka / AP