Demonstrations in Cologne Heated atmosphere surrounds right wing party convention

Cologne · Demonstrators made it difficult for delegates of the far right populist party AfD to enter the hotel where their party convention was being held. Thousands of demonstrators were underway on Saturday in Cologne inner city.

COLOGNE. Delegates of the right wing populist party AfD entered the hotel where their party convention was being held Saturday under massive police protection. Hundreds of demonstrators made it difficult for them to pass through. The party delegates were met by protestors with shouts, whistles and banners.

In scuffles with protestors, two police officers were injured and one person taken into custody. A total of 4,000 police officers were on the scene. Police chief Jürgen Mathies said he had feared several hundred left-wing extremist protestors with potential for violence. According to the alliance “Solidarität statt Hetze”, which stands for solidarity and rejects those who rant against foreigners, there were around 3,000 people involved in blocking the AfD delegates.

Around 50,000 demonstrators were expected throughout the day. Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker told the German Press Agency, “I feel it is a provocation that the AfD is holding its party convention in Cologne, because Cologne stands exactly for that what the AfD does not represent.” She went on to say, “That is tolerance, that is diversity, and that is the welcoming of people who come to Cologne, whether they seek refuge here or simply choose to make their home here.”

Reker was seriously injured in an attack from a right-wing extremist in 2015. In Cologne-Deutz on Saturday morning, police controlled around 100 persons for identification after they tried to break through a police chain.

At another location in Deutz, the tires of a car were lit on fire, said a police spokesperson. While there were scuffles between police and demonstrators in Deutz, as of mid-afternoon, none of that aggressive mood could be felt at Heumarkt. Speakers at the rally were met with friendly but muted interest. Small platforms, stands of political parties, alliances, trade unions and smaller initiatives had been set up. The atmosphere was relaxed in spite of the bad weather and loudspeakers played traditional Cologne music.

Orig. text: ga, Hannah Rüdiger

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