Disorderly demonstrations at an AfD campaign rally in Neu-Isenburg: Law enforcement takes action
In the heart of Germany, on February 1, 2025, a campaign event held by the right-wing party AfD at the Hugenottenhalle venue in Neu-Isenburg was met with organized protests. The event, featuring one of the party's leading figures, Alice Weidel, attracted a significant number of demonstrators who voiced their opposition to the AfD's politics [1][4].
The day began with protesters organizing outside the venue, expressing their disapproval of the AfD's message. Videos and social media posts from the event show activists actively voicing their dissent towards the party's campaign activities [1][2][3]. The demonstrations were part of the broader political activism seen during the 2025 federal election campaign season in Germany.
Initially, authorities had anticipated around 1,000 participants for the AfD event. However, counter-demonstrators exceeded expectations, with approximately 10,000 people turning out to show their resistance [5]. While most protests remained peaceful, there were incidents between demonstrators and the police, particularly at the nearby Isenburg-Zentrum [6].
Despite these tense moments, the police managed to maintain order and prevent major escalations. They used batons and pepper spray to secure a barrier in front of the hall and made several arrests during the day, also seizing pyrotechnics and grill lighters from suspects [3]. One person was injured during an arrest and received medical treatment [2].
Shopkeepers in the shopping center closed their businesses and lowered roller shutters due to the chaos, but by 5:30 PM, road closures were gradually lifted, and by 7 PM, the area around the Hugenottenhalle was fully reopened to traffic [7]. The majority of demonstrators adhered to the right of assembly, and overall, the event was largely peaceful as concluded by the police [8].
Investigations into possible criminal offenses were initiated following the protests [9]. The incident in Neu-Isenburg reflects ongoing contentious political dynamics in Germany leading up to the 2025 Bundestag elections, as the country grapples with diverse opinions and the pursuit of a unified future.
Transport authorities imposed temporary road closures surrounding the Hugenottenhalle venue due to the unexpected massive turnout of counter-demonstrators during the AfD campaign event. Amidst the general news of the tense protests, crime-and-justice agencies launched investigations into potential offenses committed during the demonstrations.
