Germany: Protests expected during Munich Security Conference Feb. 16-18 /update 1

Event

The 54th annual Munich Security Conference will be held at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in the city of Munich from Friday, February 16, to Sunday, February 18. Multiple demonstrations are expected to be held in Munich during the conference, including one planned by the "Alliance against the NATO Security Conference" group near the Hotel Bayerischer Hof on Saturday, February 17. Approximately 4000 demonstrators are expected to participate in the protest, while a similar number of police officers are expected to be deployed to provide security, including cordoning off the immediate area around the hotel. It is anticipated that protesters and police will obstruct the streets in the city center and create consequent traffic disruptions from around 13:00 (local time) to 17:00 on Saturday, including in Karlsplatz (Stachus), Marienplatz, and Odeonsplatz, and on Neuhauser Strasse and Kaufinger Strasse.

Additional demonstrations, transportation disruptions (including at Munich Airport [MUC] as delegates arrive at and depart from Munich), and heightened security measures - particularly around the Hotel Bayerischer Hof and nearby areas - are expected in Munich during the conference.

Context

The Munich Security Conference is an annual international security policy conference that has taken place since 1963. It is considered the most important independent forum for international security policymakers, with some 450 senior officials from more than 70 countries around the world in attendance.

Advice

Individuals in Munich are advised to expect increased security measures, adhere to all instructions issued by German authorities, and expect potential travel disruptions and delays during the conference.