Massive Protests and Police Response Mark the Launch of AfD Youth Group in Gießen

On November 30, 2025, around 25,000 demonstrators gathered in Gießen to protest the founding of a new youth organization by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The protesters blocked bridges and highway entrances, demanding the organization's formation be halted, leading to a large-scale police intervention involving water cannons, batons, and pepper spray. According to police reports, despite most of the demonstrators remaining peaceful, violent actions occurred involving a minority. Police officers reported 10 to 15 light injuries among their ranks, making this one of the largest police operations in Hesse's history, and they made three arrests with 25 criminal complaints filed.

Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) condemned violence from both sides but defended the police’s actions, emphasizing they operated within legal bounds to prevent further escalation and uphold the right to assembly. Poseck stated that without police intervention, more severe violence could have ensued. Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) urged the political left to distance themselves from the violent disruptions, warning that such attempts to disrupt lawful assemblies threaten democracy.

Protesters, however, accused the police of using disproportionate force, citing injuries caused by batons, pepper spray, and water cannons. A lawyer representing detained activists criticized alleged rights violations during custody. Contrasting these views, the German Trade Union Federation's leader in Hesse praised the police for their cooperation throughout the demonstrations.

Despite the turmoil, the AfD succeeded in establishing its youth wing, electing Jean-Pascal Hohm as chairman with 90.4% of the vote. Hohm is classified as a right-wing extremist by Brandenburg's domestic intelligence agency, adding to the controversy surrounding the organization's launch.

The Gießen protests brought national attention as tensions between far-right political movements and anti-fascist activists escalated, spotlighting the challenges in balancing democratic freedoms with public order and safety.