German Court Upholds Fine for Disrupting Anti-Abortion March in Freiburg

When a sit-in protest clashed with a legal demonstration, Germany’s highest court drew the line. The ruling redefines where free speech ends—and order begins.

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2025 November 13 . 11:01 AM

1 min read

This is a meeting hall where we can see a group of people sitting on chairs and also two flags of... — This is a meeting hall where we can see a group of people sitting on chairs and also two flags of other countries and the desk which is in orange color and some water bottles and mike on the desk.

Karlsruhe: Sit-in protest may not disrupt other assembly - German Court Upholds Fine for Disrupting Anti-Abortion March in Freiburg

A man has been convicted and fined for disrupting a public assembly in Freiburg. The incident involved a counter-protest against a demonstration organized by the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). The man, along with local antifa activists, staged an unregistered sit-in protest, blocking the path of the SSPX procession. The SSPX demonstration, registered under the slogan 'Protection of Unborn Life', was legally permitted. The man challenged his conviction at the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, arguing for his right to protest. However, his case (No. 1 BvR 2428/20) was dismissed. The court ruled that while sit-ins are generally protected under freedom of assembly, that right is not absolute and must be balanced against other interests, such as the right to peaceful assembly of others. Police eventually cleared the route by carrying away the protesters. The man's conviction and fine for disrupting the SSPX procession stands. His appeal to the Federal Constitutional Court was unsuccessful. The ruling sets a precedent for balancing freedom of assembly with the rights of others to hold peaceful gatherings.