Due to mass protests, the founding gathering of the fresh AfD youth organization in Giessen began with more than 2 hours late. Most of the 1,000 registered members gathered Saturday morning (29.11.2025) late at a two-day event in the city's fair halls in central Hesse.
The weekend program included statutory issues and the selection of youth organisation management. The old youth organization – Junge alternate – was dissolved in spring after the AfD organization separated from it.
In central Giessen and around the hall where the event took place, there were massive protests by politicians and society. The protest alliance "Widersetzen" ("Opposition") attempted to block access to the AfD event, blocking the streets. Over 15,000 activists protested in the streets this morning.
Blocks and clashes with police
Police say there have been isolated cases of violent clashes. respective vehicles and lanterns were damaged in 1 place. On 1 of the national roads, officers utilized water cannons to remove about 2,000 blocking devices. On another block, the police were cast with stones and then utilized pepper spray.
Other groups besides protested. More than 20,000 people took part in the likely largest single demonstration against the establishment of the fresh AfD youth camp, organised by DGB's union headquarters, as the organizers informed. DGB territory president Hesja-Turingia, Michael Rudolph, described this as "an impressive, visible and profoundly democratic sign against divisions and hatred of people".
"During mass protests against the establishment of a fresh AfD youth organization in Giessen, about 10 people with insignificant injuries reported to the university infirmary in central Hesse. They arrived on their own foot, were supplied surgically" and left, informed the infirmary spokesperson the DPA press agency. These were mainly injuries to the arms and legs. The Ombudsman added that 2 schools were besides adapted to give first aid, for which Giessen region is responsible.
AfD "real threat"
The "Widersetzen" Alliance justifies blocking access roads to the founding site of the fresh AfD youth organization in Giessen "the real threat to all of us".
A spokesperson for the Suraj Mailitafi alliance stressed: "We will not let another generation of violent fascists to be organized in Hessen Hall. At the moment, tens of thousands of people from Giessen and all of Germany stand in their way." He stressed that the fresh AfD youth organisation should not be allowed to be established.
According to the alliance, demonstrators arrived over 200 buses from all over Germany: unionists, students, apprentices, "groups of migrants", as well as local groups, including "Grandmother Against Right".
AfD does not offer young people any solutions to their problems," said Laura Wolf of the Widersetzen Alliance in an interview with DPA Information Agency. "The cost-saving hospitals, climate crisis, mandatory military service: AfD has nothing to offer youth to solve our real problems," said the activist.
In her opinion, young people do not request "fascist youth organizations", but "attractive housing and a planet where all people have a home and a future".
The anti-globalist alliance "Attac" criticised the decision of the Heski Administrative Court, according to which any demonstrations for safety reasons could only take place on the another side of the Lahn River alternatively than close the AfD event.
"The fact that the Administrative Court is now following the panic of the city and the police, and thus paving the way for the AfD, is disappointing," said the alliance that is considering speaking to the Constitutional Court on this matter.
"The Generation of Germany"
The start of the event, originally planned for 10 a.m., delayed due to roadblocks by over 2 hours.
AfD's fresh youth organization is to be closer to the organization than was Junge alternate until its dissolution.
"We anticipate the full youth organization to be placed on unchangeable grounds and cooperate side by side with the parent party, that is, with us," said organization president Alice Weidel recently. On Saturday morning, she posted on the X website a message with support: "Together strong, Giessen, we are coming".
The fresh youth organization is to be called Generation Deutschland (German Generation). Her president was appointed associate of the Brandenburg National Parliament Jean-Pascal Hohm. It belongs to the right wing of the AfD and is simply a associate of the regional branch of the organization in Brandenburg, considered highly right.
