Law enforcement officers are present during protests on the first day of May
Peaceful Demonstrations and Altercations in Gelsenkirchen on May 1, 2025
Gelsenkirchen witnessed a series of peaceful demonstrations and some altercations on May 1, 2025. The city's Chief Police Director, Karsten Plenker, commended the thousands of people who peacefully demonstrated in the city, asserting that the right to assembly, regardless of political affiliation, was upheld.
Two main assemblies were related to "Labor Day." The political party "Die Heimat," positioned on the right-wing political spectrum, announced an assembly at the train station square followed by a march. Another group, "AUF Gelsenkirchen," also organised a rally and march at the same location.
The main events initially concentrated at the train station square, where both groups held their rallies. However, throughout the day, repeated confrontations took place between left-wing activists and the police.
Around 300 people were stopped at a barrier on Hiberniastraße by a police line. An altercation occurred at Georgstraße, where demonstrators attempted to break through a police barrier. Officers used batons and pepper spray to prevent this, and 20 people were briefly detained. After conducting danger assessments, they were released on-site.
During his search, police found a baton, which they seized from a man. Another participant in the "Die Heimat" assembly was injured during a robbery and received medical treatment on-site. An officer was lightly injured during the altercation on Hiberniastraße but remained fit for duty.
A 45-year-old man was taken into custody after causing a disturbance in the train station area due to threats of violence against individuals from the left-wing spectrum.
Six counter-demonstrations were registered with the police. Temporary closures and traffic disruptions occurred along the different march routes in the city center, causing significant traffic disruptions at the Central Bus Station and affecting public transportation.
The police initiated 13 criminal proceedings, including one case of rioting, one violation of the assembly law, and one violation of the weapons law.
Despite these incidents, the city witnessed largely peaceful gatherings on May 1, 2025. On this day, Gelsenkirchen Police accompanied nine registered assemblies and one spontaneous gathering, the identity of which remains unspecified in the search results.
Traffic disruptions had only a minor impact on the overall traffic situation in the city area due to the holiday. The city managed to maintain order and ensure the safety of its citizens during the demonstrations.
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