As per reports, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the town of Riesa, Saxony, on Saturday (11 January) to protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s two-day congress.

Police reported clashes with demonstrators, deploying pepper spray and clearing blockades that delayed the congress by over two hours.

• The demonstration, which reportedly drew between 8,000 and 12,000 participants, carried the message ‘No to Nazis,’ reflecting widespread opposition to AfD’s policies, including a proposed remigration plan aimed at expelling foreigners from Germany.
• Protesters sought to block the event where co-leader Alice Weidel was formally nominated as the party’s candidate for chancellor in the upcoming 23 February snap elections.
• At 0630 hours (local time), activists began blocking entrances and roads leading to the conference venue. The B169 south of Riesa was targeted, as were other key access routes. Protesters exited buses and marched toward Riesa, halting local traffic.
• At 0900 hours (local time) police used pepper spray and batons to prevent activists from breaking through a blockade.
• The party conference, scheduled to begin at 1000 hours (local time), was delayed by over two hours due to blockades. AfD co-leader and chancellor candidate Alice Weidel was initially unable to access the venue but arrived by 1025 hours (local time).
• Coaches transporting AfD delegates were delayed and required police escorts.
• The party conference began at 1210 hours (local time), despite dozens of delegates still being delayed. Alice Weidel was unanimously elected as the AfD’s candidate for chancellor at around 1300 hours (local time) after which she addressed the gathering.
• By 1240 hours (local time). police began clearing access routes, including the B167. All blockades were reported cleared by 0159 hours (local time).
• By mid-afternoon, several thousand protesters remained near the venue. Barricades were reported to have been set on fire.
• Traffic, including public and private transportation, was severely impacted. Key access routes were blocked, causing logistical challenges for attendees and residents.
• The large-scale deployment at the Riesa protests was supported by police forces from multiple federal states, including Bavaria, Thuringia, Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and the Federal Police.