The Eritrean Cultural Festival, held in the town of Giessen, Germany, was protested by people who argue that the festival was used as propaganda material by the authoritarian Eritrean regime. In the clashes that broke out during the protest and lasted for hours, 26 police officers were injured. Police detained more than 100 people. Some vehicles were damaged by objects thrown by protesters.
Eritreans make up one of the largest groups of African immigrants who want to settle in European Union countries. In recent years, Germany has granted asylum to many Eritreans.