Police operation in Giessen: costs of 5 million euros for anti-AfD demos!

Police operation in Giessen: costs of 5 million euros for anti-AfD demos!

In Giessen, around 25,000 people took to the streets on November 29th to protest against the re-establishment of the AfD youth organization. The subsequent major police operation is estimated to have cost at least five million euros. The protests were largely mobilized by anti-right activists and the left-wing extremist scene and resulted in a massive police presence.

More than 50 police officers suffered injuries during the demonstrations, and security forces had to break up road blockades on several occasions to keep important emergency and rescue routes clear. Thousands of officers from Hesse and 14 other federal states and the federal police were involved in the operation, which illustrates the dimension of the police operation. However, the final cost balance will only be able to be drawn up once all invoices have been submitted.

Costs and mobilization

The deployment costs are made up of various factors, including the officers' monthly salaries, logistics costs such as food and accommodation, and support from forces outside Hesse. Billing is carried out via special administrative agreements between the federal states, which are intended to avoid problems with the allocation of costs.

Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) commented on the situation and emphasized that without the police operation, serious acts of violence could have happened. Despite the high number of injuries and the critical voice of the “Resist” alliance, which spoke of “police violence,” the police were determined to maintain order.

Injuries and accusations

The police union has expressly pointed out the dangers associated with such mass protests. Although security forces carried out their work under difficult conditions, some activists accused the police of excessive force. When analyzing images and video material, officers increasingly face criminal charges.

The conflict in Giessen shows once again how deep the divisions run in German society. While some people stand up for their political beliefs, others see it as their job to ensure security and order. These polarized views highlight the challenge posed by such protest dynamics. Further details on the situation can be found at Welt and Spiegel.