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Germany AfD meeting: Hundreds of protesters detained outside venue Germany AfD conference: Hundreds of protesters detained outside venue
(about 4 hours later)
German police have detained about 400 left-wing demonstrators who were trying to prevent people entering a right-wing party conference in Stuttgart. A meeting of Germany's right-wing anti-immigrant party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) has been marred by clashes outside the venue in Stuttgart.
About 1,000 officers were involved in the operation to keep the two sides apart, as the protesters blocked roads, burned tyres and threw firecrackers. About 1,000 police were deployed to keep supporters apart from left-wing protesters, who blocked roads, burned tyres and threw firecrackers.
The Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party is expected to re-brand itself as openly anti-Islamic during the meeting. About 400 protesters were temporarily detained as the conference began.
The AfD wants to ban the burqa and outlaw minarets in Germany. Delegates are due to vote on Sunday on a manifesto which some members want to endorse an openly anti-Islamic stance.
The party wants to ban the burka and outlaw minarets in Germany.
A police spokesman said protesters threw stones at officers and let off fireworks in their direction.A police spokesman said protesters threw stones at officers and let off fireworks in their direction.
Riot police used tear gas, pepper spray and a water cannon to keep the protesters back.Riot police used tear gas, pepper spray and a water cannon to keep the protesters back.
Despite the protest, the conference began as planned.
One demonstrator, Dominik Schmeiser, said: "We are united by our conviction that we cannot let the AfD go unchallenged, and that it is a party which is not only racist, but which is engaged in the politics of exclusion and social division.
"We will not allow ourselves to be divided and we stand together for a compassionate society."
Germany jolted by right-wing poll successGermany jolted by right-wing poll success
Guide to Europe's nationalist partiesGuide to Europe's nationalist parties
Nearly 2,000 members of the AfD are registered to attend the conference. The party achieved gains in all three states taking part in regional elections last month, claiming almost a quarter of the vote in the relatively poor eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. One demonstrator, Dominik Schmeiser, said: "We are united by our conviction that we cannot let the AfD go unchallenged, and that it is a party which is not only racist, but which is engaged in the politics of exclusion and social division.
It had campaigned against what it called Chancellor Angela Merkel's "catastrophic" decision to accept a million migrants and refugees in 2015. "We will not allow ourselves to be divided and we stand together for a compassionate society."
Despite the protest, the conference began as planned.
The party's leader Frauke Petry attacked the German chancellor Angela Merkel, saying the "silent majority" thought she was "nothing but naked".
She said the AfD wanted to make a big impact in German politics.
"In the future we do not want to remain sitting in parliament as a junior partner, a small opposition party," Ms Petry said.
The AfD achieved gains in all three states taking part in regional elections last month, claiming almost a quarter of the vote in the relatively poor eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.
It had campaigned against what it called Mrs Merkel's "catastrophic" decision to accept a million migrants and refugees in 2015.
In Saturday's conference, the party must agree a manifesto ahead of next year's general election.In Saturday's conference, the party must agree a manifesto ahead of next year's general election.
Proposals include withdrawal from the euro and the reintroduction of conscription, but there are splits within the party, including between its less hardline wing and the leadership.Proposals include withdrawal from the euro and the reintroduction of conscription, but there are splits within the party, including between its less hardline wing and the leadership.
Speaking to the conference, deputy Alexander Gauland said the AfD was a party that "has arrived in society and which is here to stay, whether the consensus parties like it or not".
Before the meeting, police encircled groups of demonstrators in a technique known as kettling. Some protesters were seen being dragged away, as others chanted "Shame on you" at officers.Before the meeting, police encircled groups of demonstrators in a technique known as kettling. Some protesters were seen being dragged away, as others chanted "Shame on you" at officers.
March state election resultsMarch state election results
More on AfDMore on AfD