Protests against AfD party conference in Erfurt: Thousands make a statement
In the Thuringian state capital of Erfurt, thousands of people gathered over the weekend to demonstrate against an AfD party conference. With sit-ins and peaceful rallies, participants attempted to block access to the venue. The action was directed against the political orientation of the party, which is classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Thuringia as confirmed right-wing extremist.
The protests were supported by a broad alliance of civil society groups, trade unions, and political organizations. The goal of the demonstrators was to send a clear signal for democracy and diversity. Many participants spoke of a necessary form of civil disobedience to counter the increasing radicalization in political debate.
The police were present with a large contingent to ensure safety and control the situation between the demonstrators and the arriving party members. Despite the tense atmosphere, the protest remained largely peaceful. However, there were traffic disruptions throughout the city area, as major access routes were blocked by the crowds.
The events in Erfurt show how intensely the social confrontation with the AfD is currently being conducted in Germany. While the party continues to pursue its political goals, resistance is growing in large parts of the population. The debate over how to politically counter the AfD remains one of the central themes of current German domestic policy.