Around 450 people protested in front of the Bürgerhaus in Bilk against an AfD event featuring controversial politician Maximilian Krah. Despite the protest, Krah remained unfazed by the opposition.
On Monday, September 9, a significant protest took place outside the Bürgerhaus Bilk in Düsseldorf, where far-right politician Maximilian Krah was scheduled to participate in an AfD panel discussion. According to police reports, around 450 people gathered to demonstrate against the event and Krah’s appearance. The protest began more than an hour before the event started, filling the space in front of the venue.
Krah, known for his controversial views, has even faced distancing from his far-right colleagues in the European Parliament. Despite being labeled by his Düsseldorf AfD colleagues as the “enfant terrible of the AfD,” Krah was invited to speak at the event. His ban from campaigning in the European elections and his resignation from the AfD’s national board didn’t deter the Düsseldorf AfD chapter, where it wasn’t seen as an issue.
AfD’s stance on Krah’s controversial views
Elmar Salinger, the spokesperson for the Düsseldorf AfD district association, described Krah’s views as “controversial,” yet “appealing” in an interview with t-online. Salinger further explained that Krah had confirmed his participation in the discussion back in May, shortly after being left isolated by the national party’s decision to ban him from campaigning.
Krah’s appearance in a city-owned venue sparked criticism from groups like “Düsseldorf stellt sich quer” and the Verdi labor union’s North Rhine-Westphalia chapter, both of which called for the protest. Various political representatives and groups, such as “Omas gegen rechts” (Grandmas Against the Right), joined the demonstration outside the Bürgerhaus.
Tension between protesters and police
The atmosphere grew tense when Krah arrived at the venue around 5:40 p.m. with other members of the Düsseldorf AfD leadership. Protesters shouted slogans such as “There is no right to Nazi propaganda.” Shortly before 6 p.m., a clash between the police and left-wing demonstrators occurred, as officers attempted to clear the area near the entrance, which had not been designated for the protest. Two young men resisted police efforts and were subsequently taken away. According to the organizers, the police also recorded the identities of several protesters. The police had been deployed around the Bürgerhaus since the afternoon to maintain order.
Despite the demonstrations, Krah appeared unbothered upon arrival, telling journalists that he was used to such protests. He expressed his anticipation for a relaxed evening and a stimulating discussion.
Krah’s controversial past and criticisms
Maximilian Krah has repeatedly come under fire for his statements and actions. Once the AfD’s lead candidate for the European Parliament, Krah fell out of favor within his party due to his controversial remarks. He once declared, “I will never say that everyone who wore an SS uniform was automatically a criminal.” Further controversy arose when one of his EU Parliament staff members was arrested on suspicion of espionage for China, and Krah himself faced corruption accusations. He also drew attention for posting unsettling TikTok videos.
