A radical-leftist coalition of unions, climate activists, and Antifa groups is rallying to disrupt the AfD federal party congress scheduled for January 11–12 in Riesa.
The alliance, called “Resist,” has vowed to use “civil disobedience” to prevent the event, labeling the AfD as “not a normal party” and declaring that its congress “must not take place.”
Organizers announced their plans on the alliance’s website, calling for “mass actions of civil disobedience” beginning early in the morning at 6:30 a.m., followed by a demonstration featuring live music and speeches starting at 9 a.m. They aim to oppose the AfD “creatively, effectively, and without escalation,” emphasizing their commitment to a peaceful yet impactful protest.
The alliance has gained support from various unions, Antifa groups, climate organizations, and NGOs. Participants from across Germany are organizing bus travel to Riesa, promising a display of “openness, creativity, and solidarity.” Protesters have been encouraged to form “affinity groups” with friends, attend action training sessions, and discuss personal limits regarding civil disobedience.
This isn’t the alliance’s first confrontation with the AfD. In June 2024, they mobilized against the party’s congress in Essen. While they succeeded in delaying the event’s start by 30 minutes, the protests turned chaotic, with thousands blocking access routes. Delegates reportedly took refuge in a bakery, and 28 police officers were injured, including two who were hospitalized.
The most prominent supporter of the alliance remains the VVN-BdA, part of a broader leftist coalition. The upcoming protests in Riesa signal another chapter in the escalating tension between leftist activists and the AfD, as the latter continues to be a lightning rod for controversy in German politics.
