German police expect mass deployment for Leipzig left-wing demo

German police are expecting the largest police deployment in two years for the autonomous left-wing "Day X" demonstration in the eastern city of Leipzig on Saturday, reported dpa.

As there are also calls for militancy and massive announcements of violence, the police are preparing "for a deployment with a partly unpeaceful course with a high potential for damage," the Leipzig police directorate announced on Tuesday.

In addition to the expected actions of the leftists, major events such as the city festival and a concert by Herbert Grönemeyer are scheduled in Leipzig.

The protest on Saturday, marked "Day X", is to take place days after the verdict in a Dresden left-wing extremism trial against a student known under German privacy laws as Lina E. and three co-defendants. They are accused of assaulting suspected neo-Nazis and of forming a criminal organization. The verdict is to be pronounced on Wednesday after almost 100 days of trial.

The left-wing scene has been mobilizing for "Day X" in Leipzig for a long time, according to the police, in some cases even Europe-wide.

"Prepare well and come to Leipzig - together we will take our solidarity to the streets," reads the calls on the internet and social networks.

"All the information available to the Leipzig police department allows the prognostic conclusion that people who are prepared to use violence and are looking for violence will also travel to Leipzig and commit crimes," the police said. They appealed to participants to ensure that the event remains free of violence.

In the meantime, a demonstration has been registered for Saturday. No information could be given on the route, possible conditions or even a ban. The police are in close coordination with the city of Leipzig as the responsible assembly authority.