DOD-sponsored personnel are highly encouraged to avoid the Koblenz area Jan. 20-21 due to multiple scheduled demonstrations. On Saturday, Jan. 21, high-profile members of a right-wing populist movement will be meeting from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Many downtown areas, streets, walkways and trails along the Rhine will be blocked-off during these days. More than 1,000 demonstrators are expected to protest this meeting. Low-level violence is anticipated.

The first demonstration will begin on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Koblenz main train station. Protestors will hold an initial rally, march through the streets and hold a second rally. After the second one, they will march again and hold a final rally. This demonstration should end at approximately 10 p.m.

On Jan. 21, multiple protests will take place throughout the day. Beginning at 11 a.m. at the main train station, the German Trade Union Federation will be marching through the city, ending with a rally at 3 p.m. Another demonstration will held across the city starting at 2 p.m. Protestors will be walking through Koblenz to Neustadt, with the final rally ending around 4:30 p.m.