27 Jan 2018 | 02:34 AM UTC
Germany: Large protest in Cologne January 27
Large protest march to be held in Cologne January 27; avoid all demonstrations as a precaution
Event
Members of the Kurdish community are planning to hold a demonstration in Cologne on Saturday, January 27. The demonstration is scheduled to begin at the Ebertplatz at 10:00 (local time). At 11:00, the demonstrators will proceed down the Hansaring, Kaiser-Wilhem-Ring, Magnusstraße, Burgmauer street, Tunisstraße, and Ursulastraße. The march will then take Turiner Straße back to Ebertplatz, arriving around 13:30. The demonstration is scheduled to end around 15:00.
According to security officials, some 20,000 people are expected to attend the event. An additional 2000 police will be deployed to ensure security around the demonstration, and clashes between police and demonstrators cannot be ruled out. Significant transportation disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of the demonstration.
Context
Members of the Kurdish community are holding to demonstration to protest an ongoing Turkish military operation in Syria. On Sunday, January 21, Turkish forces entered the Afrin region of Syria as part of an offensive targeting Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) - deemed by Ankara as a terrorist organization and ally of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Advice
Individuals in Cologne are advised to avoid any demonstrations as a precaution, to anticipate transportation disruptions, and to report any suspicious behavior or objects to the police.
