Very tense situation in Germany, which received a very strong jolt after the European elections of last June 9th. The far-right party Alternative for Germany he came second with 15.9 percent of the vote. Something “unacceptable” for the many demonstrators who marched in Essen today, Saturday 29 June, to express their opposition to the AfD party conference.
Unfortunately it clash it was inevitable, considering the mood of the last few days. Suffice it to say that the local authorities of Essen had tried in every way to avoid the conference, which however was held thanks to the judge’s ruling. A demonstration with over 100 thousand people was expected today, and already yesterday, Friday 28 June, 5 thousand people took part in a rave called Bass against hateor “Bass against hate”.
The clashes
According to German newspapers, thousands of people gathered in Essen on Saturday to protest against the advance of Alternative for Germany. Many of the participants in the uprising are sympathizers of far-left parties. There were no shortage of moments of very high tension. While marching outside the opposing party’s Congress, some particularly violent individuals clashed with the police.
“Several violent and disruptive actions occurred in the Rüttenscheid neighborhood. The demonstrators, some of them hooded, attacked the security forces. Several have been carried out arrests“, is what the German police declared on social networks. It was the demonstrators belonging to the most radical groups who came into contact with the representatives of the police.
In any case, the AfD congress went ahead. The outgoing leaders remained at the helm of the party, Tino Chrupalla e Alice Weidel. Both were reappointed.
Injured policemen
Many of the troublemakers who attacked the German police were wearing masks. The march was said to have been attended by around 100 thousand people. The greatest tension was felt near the Grugahalle, where the meeting was taking place. Some AfD members were also escorted by police officers for security reasons.
Apparently, following the fight, two officers remained wounded and would have needed to be taken to the hospital. The two police officers would have been kicked in the head once they ended up on the ground. Seven other officers, however, suffered injuries that were judged not serious. There is no trace of the attackers, who managed to disappear.
“Against extremism
right and racism we need strong democratic forces and peaceful protests”, was the comment of the Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. “Nothing justifies violence.”
