Germany: Anti-right-wing campaigners plan demonstrations in Essen, June 28-30

Civil society groups plan to stage demonstrations in Essen, June 28-30. Multiple groups, including "Together Loud" and "Resist," will denounce the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party, which will hold a conference in the city's Grugahalle. Organizers plan various demonstrations including:

• June 28: "Together Loud" will stage a rally from 19:00 at the Main Railway Station

• June 29: Groups plan "civil disobedience" action from 06:00 to disrupt AfD delegates' travel to the conference

• June 29: Groups will gather from 10:00 at the Main Railway Station and march to the Grugahalle.

Other rallies and protests are likely throughout the period. Organizers forecast that several thousand will participate in the demonstrations. The AfD party plans that the conference will attract around 600 delegates. Local authorities will implement changes to the public transport network; diversions and schedule changes will impact the U11 subway and bus routes. Further demonstrations against the AfD are also planned across Germany in the coming days.

Heightened security is likely near all demonstrations, and road closures will prompt localized traffic disruptions. Counter protests are possible, and scuffles between demonstrators and police or between supporters of rival political groupings cannot be ruled out.