Germany: 700 angry citizens protest against the construction of a shelter for asylum seekers in Upahl

Riots in Mecklenburg: The 1,600-inhabitant town of Upahl is to take in 400 migrants. 700 people demonstrate in front of the district council when it votes on it. Some try to storm the administration.

Grevesmühlen - There were tumultuous scenes in front of the district council of Northwest Mecklenburg in Grevesmühlen. According to police estimates, 700 people gathered in front of the administration building last night to protest against a container village for 400 asylum seekers in Upahl. The place has 1662 inhabitants.

Despite the loud, angry protests that could also be heard in the plenary hall, the district council voted in an emergency session to build the shelter. The situation came to a head when some demonstrators tried to enter the administration building. Police officers dressed in heavy protective gear were able to prevent the storm. Demonstrators banged their hands on the windows. According to NDR, right-wing extremists were also among the protesters. However, the police pointed out to the Nordkurier that it was "predominantly middle-class people, only a small number of people from the right-wing scene".

After the decision, politicians invite you to a public dialogue
The majority rejected an application by the AfD, which eight members of the district council made, to refrain from building the accommodation. The suggestion to limit the capacity to 250 didn't stand a chance either. In the district council, the CDU is the strongest faction with 14 deputies. SPD (13) and Left (11) follow.

District administrator Tino Schomann (CDU) said after the meeting that the container village is to be built in an industrial area as early as March 1st. This step was "necessary" because the aim was to prevent gymnasiums from being occupied by migrants. The administration will “do everything” to “make the burden on the residents as low as possible”. Schlomann has now announced a dialogue event with the citizens for February 3rd. The police initiated several investigations against demonstrators.

Also in Loitz, in western Pomerania, there are currently civil protests against a migrant accommodation.

Source: Der Newsticker