Multitudes in Altschauerberg - Opponents of the "Dragon Monarch"
Thousands of people have gathered in the small village of Altschauerberg, Emskirchen, causing a disruption that local authorities and police are struggling to manage. The annual event, known as the "Schanzenfest," is a long-standing cultural phenomenon rooted in a decade-long conflict between a local YouTuber, known as "Drachenlord," and his online opponents.
Large gatherings, noise, and fireworks are prohibited in the areas of Emskirchen and Schauerberg, yet pyrotechnics were set off, creating isolated incidents and requiring a large police presence with riot and mounted units. Despite bans and repeated interventions, the unrest subsided later the same day.
The conflict originated around 2015 when Drachenlord publicly shared his address, leading to a series of disturbances, including noise, vandalism, and physical altercations. The police often intervened due to repeated incidents of disorder, including during events called "Schanzenfeste."
Despite Drachenlord moving away from Altschauerberg and selling his house in 2022, the event continued as a kind of annual gathering or meme-like cult event chiefly attended by his opponents and curious internet users. In 2018, hundreds of people descended on Altschauerberg, causing chaos and prompting major police action.
Several of Drachenlord's opponents have been convicted of crimes against him or fined for minor offenses in recent years. The local administration and police lament the ongoing disruption, as Emskirchen village has become an unwelcome "pilgrimage site" for these oppositional gatherings linked to the Drachenlord conflict.
The police spokesperson anticipates that the crowd will disperse later in the evening, but they are yet to fully enforce the order due to the number of people present in the prohibited areas. The situation remains tense, with a police officer having been insulted and an act of resistance reported at the gathering.
As the situation unfolds, the authorities are assessing how they will handle the situation in the future, aiming to maintain order and ensure the safety of the local community and participants alike.
Social-media posts about the event in Altschauerberg have been flooded with updates and debates, amplifying the tension between Drachenlord and his opponents. The general-news outlets have covered the disruption extensively, with various crime-and-justice incidents reported throughout the day.
