Germany: Anti-lockdown activists to protest in several cities May 15-16

Event

Anti-lockdown activists plan to demonstrate in several German cities May 15, 16 to denounce restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19. Actions have been confirmed in the following locations:

May 15

• Berlin: Ministry of Health to Gendarmenmarkt from 13:30

• Bremen: Hauptbahnhof from 14:00

• Dusseldorf: Hofgarten from 14:00

• Hamburg: Rodingsmarkt from 14:00

• Hannover: Maschsee North Bank from 14:00

• Kiel: Reventlouwise from 14:00

• Magdeburg: Domplatz from 14:00

• Nuremburg: Wohrder Wiese park from 15:00.

• Schwerin: Marktplatz from 14:00

• Wiesbaden: Schlossplatz 2 from 14:00

May 16

• Frankfurt: Opernplatz from 14:00

• Nuremburg: Richard-Wagner-Platz from 14:00

Organizers have also called for demonstrations in Dresden, Erfurt, Mainz, Munich, Potsdam, Saarbrucken, and Stuttgart May 15, though start times and specific locations are not currently confirmed. Related actions are possible in additional German cities May 15-16. Attendance will vary by location but could exceed 1,000 at larger gatherings. In cities where protest venues have not been announced, actions may occur outside government offices or in central squares. Protest locations could be changed at short notice by the organizers. Due to the regular presence of far-right activists at anti-lockdown protests in Germany, counterprotests organized by left-wing activists are possible in all protest-affected cities.

Additional police will deploy to monitor the actions and keep rival activist groups apart. Large crowds and associated security measures will likely prompt localized transport disruptions in protest areas; public transport services may be canceled or diverted. Current COVID-19 measures in Germany place restrictions on public gatherings. Police may preemptively ban protests or attempt to disperse any gatherings that could breach these restrictions; activists seeking to avoid security cordons could gather in other parts of affected cities. Police may arrest non-compliant participants, likely prompting isolated clashes between police and protesters. Additionally, clashes between rival groups of activists are likely should they come into contact.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check public transport schedules and local traffic conditions for disruptions before beginning journeys and allow extra time for travel in protest areas May 15-16.