Munich Security Conference: Record Protests Expected with 120,000 Demonstrators
Munich, February 8 – The upcoming Munich Security Conference is poised to be accompanied by a record number of protests, with an estimated 120,000 demonstrators expected across 21 registered events. This significant increase in protest activity, detailed in an overview from the Munich District Administrative Department, marks a substantial shift from previous years, which saw more subdued participation.
The Security Conference, a globally significant gathering of security policy experts, is scheduled to take place from February 13 to February 15. A total of 65 heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance, alongside numerous foreign and defense ministers. Prominent figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected, with Friedrich Merz (CDU) participating for the first time as Chancellor.
Unprecedented Number of Demonstrations
Between Wednesday and Sunday, 21 separate events have been registered within the city area. This surge in protests is expected to cause considerable disruption to public life in Munich. While the conference venue, the Bayerischer Hof hotel near Marienplatz, is already a high-security zone with road closures and extensive police presence, some of the larger demonstrations could temporarily bring normal activities to a halt in other parts of the city.
The most substantial protest is anticipated on Saturday at Theresienwiese, organized by the ‘The Munich Circle’ association. This demonstration, targeting the Iranian leadership, has registered 100,000 participants. Scheduled from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the event is titled “Human Rights and Freedom in Iran. International Solidarity with the Iranian People.” The actual turnout and any conditions imposed by authorities remain to be seen.
Diverse Protest Agendas
Another significant demonstration is planned for Saturday at 12:30 PM in the city center, between Marienplatz and Stachus, protesting the Security Conference itself, with an expected 4,000 participants. Nearby, at Odeonsplatz and Max-Joseph-Platz in front of the opera house, two separate demonstrations with 3,000 registered participants each will advocate against war and “for the mandatory commitment of German politics to peace,” as well as for “free vaccination choice.”
Many other protests will also address the situation in Iran, in addition to addressing suppression in South Yemen and right-wing extremism in Germany. Notably, there has been no registered demonstration against the war in Ukraine to date. Given that further demonstrations can still be registered and some events have not yet declared participant numbers, the overall figures and thematic scope of the protests are likely to increase. This will undoubtedly escalate the already demanding workload for the police force during the Security Conference.
Impact on City Life and Security Measures
The sheer volume of planned protests underscores the heightened political climate surrounding this year’s conference. Local authorities and police are preparing for a challenging weekend, balancing the right to peaceful assembly with the need to maintain public order and ensure the safety of conference attendees and city residents.
The increased security measures and potential traffic disruptions will necessitate careful planning for both residents and visitors to Munich during the conference period. Public transportation may experience delays or reroutes, and access to certain areas of the city center will be restricted.
The diverse range of topics addressed by the protests reflects a broad spectrum of concerns among the public, from international human rights issues to domestic political debates. The conference, while a forum for global leaders, will this year also serve as a prominent stage for public dissent and calls for change.
The city’s preparations include extensive police deployment and coordination with event organizers to manage the flow of demonstrators and ensure that all events proceed peacefully. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation as more details about potential protests emerge in the days leading up to the conference.
Source: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-rekordteilnehmer-sicherheitskonferenz-demos-li.3384061
