More than 3,300 people demonstrated Sunday against a speech by Björn Höcke, the leader of the Thuringian AfD party, at a New Year’s reception hosted by the AfD faction in Dortmund, according to police estimates. The turnout significantly exceeded expectations, with organizers initially anticipating around 600 attendees.
The city of Dortmund previously attempted to prevent Höcke’s appearance, but the effort was overturned in an expedited proceeding before the Administrative Court of Gelsenkirchen. The city subsequently filed an appeal with the Higher Administrative Court of Münster, which did not address the case over the weekend.
“For me, it was clear that I didn’t desire this man in my town hall,” Dortmund Mayor Alexander Kalouti (CDU) told the Ruhr Nachrichten. The city pursued every legal avenue to prevent the event from taking place.
Höcke in Düsseldorf Monday, Thousands Expected at Counter-Protest
Höcke’s appearance has drawn controversy, in part due to his two prior convictions for using prohibited Nazi slogans. The AfD state association he leads is classified as right-wing extremist by the Thuringian state Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the rise of far-right political figures in Germany.
The AfD city council faction had invited 280 guests to its New Year’s reception, according to their own statements. Videos from the event showed Höcke being greeted with standing ovations and enthusiastic cheers.
Prior to his appearance in Dortmund, Höcke visited the Externsteine rock formation in the Teutoburg Forest, a site that held particular significance in National Socialist propaganda and continues to be a destination for right-wing extremists today.
Höcke is also scheduled to appear in Düsseldorf on Monday evening. An antifascist alliance has registered a demonstration there with police, anticipating 5,000 participants, though officials expect even larger numbers.
