In a dramatic turn of events, clashes broke out between protesters and police during a conference of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the city of Essen. The AfD, which emerged as a major force in the recent European elections, gathered for a two-day meeting, attracting mass counter-demonstrations from left-wing groups.

According to reports, the atmosphere became tense as thousands of protesters took to the streets of Essen, aiming to disrupt the AfD congress and prevent the spread of what they perceive as fascism. Video footage shared on social media captured protesters attempting to breach a barrier on a motorway, only to be met with pepper spray and batons from the police.

The group organizing the protests, Widersetzen, stated that around 7,000 of their demonstrators were present in the morning, with more expected to join in the afternoon. They called for "colorful" civil disobedience but emphasized the importance of non-violence and avoiding escalation.

Authorities were prepared for the unrest, with police expecting up to 100,000 protesters, including around 1,000 left-wing extremists, to participate. The sheer number of demonstrators overwhelmed law enforcement, leading to several arrests. One AfD politician found themselves trapped in a bakery, surrounded by an aggressive mob. They were eventually freed by police and escorted to the conference hall under protection.

The AfD's party conference follows their historic success in the recent EU elections, where they secured the second-highest share of votes in Germany, trailing behind the center-right Christian Democratic Union. However, the party has been mired in controversy, with scandals cropping up. Most notably, prominent AfD politician Maximilian Krah drew condemnation for his remarks on the Nazi SS, leading to his expulsion from a far-right coalition of parties in the European Parliament.

As tensions between the AfD and its critics continue to play out on the streets of Essen, it remains to be seen how these clashes will impact the political landscape of Germany and the ongoing discourse surrounding the rise of far-right movements.

Note: The generated news article does not mention any specific dates.