Gigantic protest in Neu-Isenburg: 9,000 citizens against the AfD!

Gigantic protest in Neu-Isenburg: 9,000 citizens against the AfD!

On February 1, 2025, in Neu-Isenburg, a place in the Offenbach area, there were massive protests against an AfD campaign event, which was led by the candidate for chancellor Alice Weidel. The number that was originally expected by around 3,000 participants was far exceeded: over 9,000 people took part in the demonstrations. The protests were organized by various groups, including citizens from Neu-Isenburg and Fridays for Future (FFF) Frankfurt.

The protest moves led from different starting points, for example from the train station and from the tram station on the city limits to the Hugenottenhalle, where the AfD event took place. This started at 3 p.m. and was also supported by parliamentary group leader Tino Chrupalla. Only about 40 supporters of the AfD gathered in front of the hall.

confrontations and police operation

The course of the demonstrations was characterized by tensions. Some of the protesters broke up barriers and attacked emergency services, which resulted in the use of pepper spray and batons by the police. An official and a demonstrator were injured, and there were also isolated wrangling between the two groups.

The police operation had been prepared intensively for several weeks in order to be able to react to the expected crowds and possible clashes. This included traffic restrictions about which residents and road users had been informed in advance. In the protests, some demonstrators also blocked emergency and escape routes, which caused additional problems.

As feared in advance, incidents occurred that let the situation escalate. The night before, unknown people had damaged the glass door of the Huguenot Hall and left color smearings at the office of the CDU city association. The property damage to two windows and a door were carried out with red color. The police's state protection has taken over the investigation into these crimes and checks a possible connection with the AfD event.

The police had initially not reported any arrests, but there was a arrest a little later, the background of which remains unclear. The clashes continued with the attempt to set fire to police cars with grill gauntlets, which caused only low damage to property. In addition, some participants organized a planned protest train from another tram station to the Hugenottenhalle.

context of the protests

The protests in Neu-Isenburg are part of a wider trend in Germany, where there have been demonstrations against right-wing extremism and the AfD's policy for some time. Political scientists such as Sebastian Hauns from the University of Bremen emphasize the endurance of these protest movements, which were able to achieve a high level of mobilization, especially in large cities.

reports show that in other cities, such as Krefeld, numerous citizens and various organizations mobilize against right -wing extremism. The current social mood seems to be increasingly directed against extremist ideas. These developments could indicate broader politicization and social consensus that is necessary to achieve sustainable changes.

The protests in Neu-Isenburg illustrate the increasing resistance to the AfD and its politics. At a time when upcoming elections increase mobilization in society, the pressure on political actors could also grow to clearly position itself against extremist tendencies. The relevance of these protests could not only have short -term effects on the election campaigns, but also to initiate long -term social debates.