ruth901
The AfD is planning to found a youth organization in Hesse on Saturday in Johannesberg. Resistance is forming in the Fulda district. Mayor Erwin Stock also emphasizes: “We don’t need the AfD.”
Johannesberg – “It is of course a big topic in town,” reports Stock when asked Fulda newspaper. The Planned establishment of the Hessian regional association of the AfD youth organization fueled political debates in Johannesberg. According to his perception, a clear picture emerges. “The absolute majority is of the opinion that we don’t need the AfD in politics or in our community.”
AfD youth organization founded in Fulda – resistance stirs
Resistance has also formed nationwide. An alliance eight organizations active throughout Hesse are calling for protests against the founding on. Several activities are planned in Fulda for Saturday. The association “Fulda stands across” is calling for a demonstration in Johannesberg, which starts at 10 a.m. at the Aueweiher parking lot. The democracy festival begins at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Johannesberg community center, the meeting place for the AfD youth. There is also support from the churches: the KjG Fulda Diocesan Association wants to join in from Cathedral Square.
“The AfD attacks our principles, goals and beliefs and questions the values we stand for,” write the Working Group of Foreigners’ Advisory Councils Hessethe Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband Hesse, the German Federation of Trade Unions Hesse-Thuringia, the Hesse state association of the Education and Science Union, the Hesse State Women's Council, the Hesse state association of NaturFreunde Deutschlands and the Association of those persecuted by the Nazi regime – Association of Antifascists (VVN-BdA) Hesse in a joint press release. “We see a major threat to democracy in the extreme right-wing AfD.”
The organizations announce: “We will use the planned new foundation to once again put our values against their agitation. We will counter their attempt to divide society with an appeal for solidarity and cohesion and look forward to your support.”
AfD distances itself “from any form of unrest or escalation”
The AfD also knows about the planned counter-protest. The Fulda district association said it “takes no responsibility for possible developments outside of our own event”. The residents were also informed about this via an information letter. At the same time, the association emphasizes: “If there are tensions or disruptions in the environment, these are not caused by your own event. We expressly distance ourselves from any form of unrest or escalation.”
Hesse's Interior Minister Dr. Roman Poseck (CDU) is keeping an eye on the situation. According to the minister, the police will be on site with a large contingent. However, Poseck does not expect scenes like those in Giessen, where tens of thousands demonstrated against the founding of the AfD youth organization “Generation Germany” at the end of November.
During the largely peaceful protest, there were violent clashes between demonstrators and the police, and several people were injured. However, Poseck does not expect that the protests in Johannesberg “will have the dimensions that we experienced in Giessen”.
Interior Minister Roman Poseck does not expect Giessen dimensions
While protesters from all over Germany came to Giessen because of the high symbolic significance of a new federal association, the events in Fulda are likely to have a nationwide dimension, explains the Interior Minister. “We must currently assume a broad Hesse-wide mobilization. Mobilization beyond Hesse has not yet been detected.”
Poseck says he understands many people's concerns about right-wing extremist threats to democracy and security. He calls on everyone involved to act peacefully and in accordance with the applicable law. Illegal or even violent actions by counter-demonstrators are attacks on the rule of law.
In Johannesberg, mayor Stock trusts the authorities. “The police are currently present and are holding a briefing. I think they have everything under control.” The city of Fulda, which recently told the Fuldaer Zeitung that it would also examine the AfD's booking request against the background of the events in Giessen, announced a joint statement with the police headquarters on Thursday in response to a renewed request.
