03 Dec 2017 | 02:50 AM UTC
Germany: Multiple people injured during protests in Hanover Dec. 2 /update 1
Multiple people injured during protests in Hanover, Lower Saxony, on December 2; avoid all protests
Event
At least five police officers and one protester were injured on Saturday, December 2, during clashes between far-right protesters, counter-protesters and security forces in Hanover, Lower Saxony. According to local sources, over 6500 counter-protesters rallied in the city center against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's federal conference at the Hanover Congress Center (HCC) which is taking place on December 2-3.
Police have received at least six applications for additional protests in the city over the weekend, with thousands of demonstrators expected to attend on Sunday, December 3. An increased security presence is expected in Hanover, as well as transportation disruptions near any demonstrations. Further violent clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
AfD previously held its party conference in Hanover in 2015, drawing only minor demonstrations against the party with fewer than 200 protesters reportedly participating. However, the AfD was seated for the first time in the Bundestag in 2017 after it received 12.6 percent of the vote in the federal election held on September 24, raising its national profile and galvanizing its opposition.
Advice
Individuals in Hanover are advised to keep abreast of the situation, to strictly avoid all demonstrations, and to anticipate transportation disruptions.
