Linksautonome: “Day X” in Leipzig: the police expect a big effort

The police are expecting the largest police operation in two years for the left-wing autonomous “Day X” in Leipzig next Saturday.

Since there are also calls for militancy and massive announcements of violence, the police are “preparing for an action that is sometimes unpeaceful with a high potential for damage,” said the Leipzig police department on Tuesday. In addition to the expected actions of the left, there are also major events in Leipzig such as the city festival and a concert by Herbert Grönemeyer.

“Day X” is the Saturday after the verdict in the Dresden left-wing extremism trial against the student Lina E. and three co-defendants. They are accused of attacking suspected neo-Nazis and forming a criminal organization. The verdict is to be spoken on Wednesday after almost 100 days of negotiations.

Against this background, the city of Leipzig restricted the right of assembly for the coming weekend. According to the general decree, open-air public meetings that relate to the process or the accused and have not been reported to the meeting authority by midnight on May 31 are prohibited and participation in them, the municipality announced on Tuesday. This was also published in the electronic Official Journal.

Faeser: “No goal justifies political violence”

At the end of the trial, the violent left-wing extremist scene is also under special observation. The federal and state security authorities will “focus on them in the coming days and weeks and will intervene consistently when criminal and violent crimes occur,” said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) to the editorial network Germany (RND, Tuesday). The federal police will support the Saxon police in particular “with strong forces”.

The criminal proceedings have been well received since the main suspects were arrested in 2020, said Faeser, who warned of acts of violence by Lina E.’s supporters in view of the planned verdict. “The spiral of radicalization and violence in left-wing extremist groups must not continue,” she said. “Here, the inhibitions to attack political opponents with the utmost brutality have dropped.” In a democratic constitutional state, there should be no room for vigilantism, regardless of who initiated it. “No goal justifies political violence.”

Left scene has been mobilizing for “Day X” for a long time

The left-wing scene has been mobilizing in Leipzig for “Day X” for a long time, according to the police, in some cases even across Europe. “Prepare yourselves well and come to Leipzig – together we will take our solidarity to the streets,” says the appeal on the Internet and on social networks.

“All the findings available to the Leipzig police department allow the prognostic conclusion that people willing and seeking violence will also travel to Leipzig and commit crimes,” the police said. She appealed to participants to ensure that it remains non-violent.