June 29. () –
Thousands of people demonstrated this Saturday in Dresden to protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the German city of Essen after a night of sporadic riots between police and anti-fascist protesters.
Some 20,000 people, according to state authorities, 50,000 according to the organizers, participated in the afternoon protests at the call of a large number of social, union and anti-fascist political organizations. During the event, slogans such as “Nazis out” or “Hate has no place in Essen” were heard.
Around 5,000 people had already gathered to protest against the AfD on Friday, and attempts were made to storm the security cordon around the Grugahalle convention hall in Essen in the early hours of the morning.
Police have asked participants to “avoid violent actions and rioters” but have confirmed some violent incidents by activists who tried to prevent AfD members from entering the Grugahalle from their hotels. “Some demonstrators were hooded and attacked the officers,” said a police spokesman. Several arrests have been made.
A large group of protesters tried to break through the police cordon at around 5.45am and the security forces responded with charges and tear gas. “Several ambulances were called,” the police said.
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