Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD party starts youth convention
The new youth organisation of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany is due to be set up in a meeting in the town of Giessen
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the western German town of Giessen on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany’s (AfD’s) new youth organisation was set to kick off its founding convention.
Groups of protesters blocked or tried to block roads in and around the university town of some 93,000 in the early morning. Police said they used pepper spray after stones were thrown at officers at one location.
At a rally at the railway station, protesters chanted “All together. Against fascism” and “Stop the arsonists” as they headed towards the town centre.
Police said demonstrators were “massively” obstructing traffic on motorways and other roads, including about 10 people who were abseiling onto a key thoroughfare.
Water cannons were used to help clear one blockade of about 2,000 people “after the group did not respond to the verbal request to clear the road”.
The new youth organisation of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany was due to be set up in a meeting at Giessen’s convention centre. Protesters successfully delayed the start.