Hesse’s Interior Minister, Roman Poseck (CDU), has issued a warning that people should not misuse Halloween masks for concealment during planned social protests on October 31st. Speaking to the television station “Welt,” Poseck emphasized that concealment is fundamentally prohibited at demonstrations. He stressed the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between Halloween and a protest, stating, “A disguise has no place at demonstrations. It is generally prohibited.”
While acknowledging that the coincidence of these events on the same day is unfortunate, the CDU politician affirmed that individuals who wish to demonstrate peacefully and legitimately will abide by the rules and will not instigate provocations.
Poseck stated that he expects “demonstrators to fundamentally be different from Halloween participants, and that this will therefore not pose a problem for the police.” However, he delivered a clear warning: anyone who violates rules-starting with the use of concealing masks-and proceeds to use violence against property or people, must be prepared to face the full consequences of the rule of law. He pledged that this principle would be enforced very clearly in Hesse. “We protect the right to demonstration, but we do not protect people who trample upon our legal order,” Poseck told “Welt.”
Furthermore, he announced that the Hessian police force will have a “strong deployment” in cities such as Frankfurt. The Minister also stated that the dissolution of costume-clad demonstrations is theoretically possible in specific cases. He noted that while this possibility exists, it depends on an individual review. “The possibility exists. If it is abused, and if it turns into nothing more than a Halloween procession, then it is possible to take corresponding police action and intervene,” said the CDU politician.
