Germany: AfD conference in Essen triggers violent protest clashes

Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered outside an Alternative for Germany (AfD) meeting in Essen.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUK General ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersClashes break out near German far-right conference21 hours agoBy Sean Seddon, BBC NewsShareReutersPolice say 'several' arrests have been made in the city of EssenPolice and protesters have clashed outside the annual conference of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Tens of thousands of people opposed to the AfD gathered in the city of Essen, local media reported, with police drafted in from around the country in a bid to prevent disorder.

Local police said two officers were "kicked in the head", seriously injured and taken to hospital during the violence, which began in the early hours of Saturday morning before the official demonstration had started.

The AfD's conference comes weeks after it shocked Germany's political establishment by coming second in European elections, winning 16% of all votes and beating the ruling centre-left party.

Disorder broke out at dawn on Saturday when a group of protesters attempted to reach the Grugahalle music venue where the meeting was due to be held.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyx5yq7wy55o

---