Protests against AfD in Henstedt-Ulzburg: 1,000 votes for democracy!

Protests against AfD in Henstedt-Ulzburg: 1,000 votes for democracy!

There was a lot going on in Henstedt-Ulzburg on this special day. The state party conference of the AfD Schleswig-Holstein took place there on June 21, 2025. The party faced significant challenges because, according to the police, eight counter-events had already been registered. These protests, which already had 800 participants by midday, were organized by various groups, including the Henstedt-Ulzburg Alliance for Democracy and Diversity and the “Grandmas Against the Right”.

The party conference itself had the goal of discussing important changes to the statutes and passing a resolution entitled “Protecting democracy from the protection of the constitution”. The AfD sees the basic democratic order as endangered as a result of the “instrumentalization” of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. A particularly controversial report, which the AfD classified as a “certain right-wing extremist effort,” is the focus of the discussion here. This classification was made in May 2025 and is based on the critical statements made by AfD politicians, which, according to the report, violate the Basic Law and human dignity.

Protests in full swing

The protests began early in the morning and continued into the evening - the last vigil is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. The rally “Get up early against the right!” was particularly present! at the community center, which started at 8:30 a.m. Speeches were also expected, including from Bundestag member Ralf Stegner (SPD), who spoke out in favor of banning the AfD. Finn Luca Frey, the state spokesman for the Left, was also there and wanted to raise his voice against right-wing tendencies.

AfD vice-president Volker Schnurrbusch commented on the protests and described them as a sign of vibrant democracy. In contrast, there are also tensions within the AfD: AfD district chairman Reschke was expelled from the party because of right-wing extremist statements. The circumstances seem to be becoming increasingly difficult for the AfD, especially given the continuous criticism based on the statements of its members.

Constitutional protection in focus

The report from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution plays a central role in the current discourse about the AfD in Schleswig-Holstein. A total of 353 people from the AfD's environment were examined, with the general portrayals of migrants as a threat to society being particularly significant. The AfD state leader Kurt Kleinschmidt vehemently defends himself against the accusations of right-wing extremism and believes that all nationals naturally belong to the German people.

In the meantime, the federal AfD has filed a lawsuit against its classification as right-wing extremist. Meanwhile, there are also considerations about founding a new youth organization that would provide better control within the party and, above all, ensure more control. Negotiations with the Office for the Protection of the Constitution are continuing, and it remains to be seen what further steps will be taken in the political dispute.

The police announced extensive road closures and traffic disruptions in Henstedt-Ulzburg for the day, especially in the affected streets. The situation remains exciting and eyes are on Henstedt-Ulzburg, where the political circus is in full swing.