AfD politician Björn Höcke has commenced a series of appearances in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), facing significant opposition and protests. In Dortmund, approximately 3300 demonstrators gathered outside the city hall where Höcke was scheduled to speak, a turnout exceeding initial expectations. Dortmund's CDU Mayor, Alexander Kalouti, unsuccessfully attempted to ban Höcke's speech in the city hall, ultimately participating in counter-demonstrations. Larger protests are anticipated in Düsseldorf, with an alliance of civil society groups expecting over 5000 participants against Höcke's evening appearance. Höcke, a controversial figure with prior convictions for using a banned Nazi slogan, is also scheduled to speak in Düsseldorf's Garath district, an area where the AfD achieved a significant electoral result.