Overview
- Thousands of protesters began actions before dawn, with authorities expecting tens of thousands across more than 20–30 registered events in and around the city.
- Police reported widespread road and autobahn blockades and used water cannons to clear a roughly 2,000-person sit-down on the B49, describing an active multi‑site operation.
- The AfD’s congress to launch its new youth arm, Generation Deutschland, faced access problems as delegates and leaders, including Jean-Pascal Hohm, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, were delayed or escorted to the Messe.
- The Hessian Administrative Court upheld Gießen’s security plan placing large counter‑protests by the DGB, Die Linke and Attac on the east side of the Lahn, with the DGB’s mass rally proceeding there.
- Hessian police mounted a large deployment with helicopters, drones and water cannons, while the city kept Christmas and weekly markets open with scaled‑back programs and warned of major traffic disruption.