The new situation report on “left-wing extremism” for North Rhine-Westphalia, presented by North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, shows a massive radicalization of the scene. Movements like “Switch Off” openly call for sabotage against the infrastructure of “green capitalism,” with a particular focus on Tesla and Deutsche Bahn.

Left-wing extremism in North Rhine-Westphalia: Statistics of crimes and wave of violence

Reul warned of a new quality of aggression: “The acts are becoming more brutal, more professional, more personal. Collateral damage is accepted in the name of a supposedly higher goal.” The current statistics illustrate this wave of violence:

• Total number of left-wing motivated crimes: Increase from 1187 to 2418 cases (more than doubled).
• Violent crimes: Increase from 86 to 153 offenses.
• Physical injuries: Increase by 93 percent to 83 offenses in 2025.
• Attacks on police officers: 37 acts of resistance (increase by more than a third).
• Damage to property: Climbed from 489 to 1190 cases.
• Dangerous interventions in rail traffic: Increase from two to six cases in NRW alone.

Compared to other federal states, the structures between the Rhine and Weser are not yet as developed, but according to the management report, they are becoming more diverse.

Climate struggle and sabotage: strategies of the autonomous scene

Militant left-wing cadres rely heavily on social media and a “lifestyle” image to appeal primarily to young people. In terms of content, the spectrum expands the topic portfolio; The fight against climate change is mixed with the overcoming of capitalism. Energy suppliers, the pharmaceutical industry, defense companies, banks and housing companies are the declared opponents. The attacks range from paint graffiti and sabotage on radio masts to arson attacks on Amazon or Telekom vehicles, which are defamed as “military collaborators”.

The actors propagate violence “in all possible forms” as a means of resistance. The “Volcano Groups” and the “Angry Birds” command have joined the switch-off movement. The aim of the volcano groups is to use sabotage to disrupt the functioning of “everyday capitalist life”. Since 2011 they have been causing millions in damage.

“Angry Bird” commandos target railways

The “Angry Bird” commands are particularly targeting Deutsche Bahn. In August 2025, rail traffic near Düsseldorf-Eller was disrupted; later an arson attack put the main line between Duisburg and Düsseldorf out of service. Tens of thousands of travelers were affected. The authors proudly celebrated themselves on “de.indymedia.org”. In a letter of responsibility it was said: “The world will only be able to breathe a sigh of relief when over a hundred companies and corporations go bankrupt every day. Every day.”

Antifascism and the Hammer Gang: Radicalization of Antifa

The NRW Office for the Protection of the Constitution estimates the spectrum in the state at 3,000 people. There are established structures and networks in cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Wuppertal and the Ruhr area. These include groups such as “Ende Eisenbahn” (EG) or the “Interventionist Left” (IL). In the environmental movement, groups like the EG are now expanding their protest to include anti-fascism and anti-militarism. The IL is pushing resistance against arms companies like Rheinmetall.

According to Reul, the Middle East conflict and the AfD’s growth are causing increasing acts of violence: “The left and the right behave like two volume controls that turn each other up. The louder the AfD, the louder the riot from the left.” The label “anti-fascism” justifies a lot of things that are nothing other than violence. At the beginning of 2025, emergency services were attacked with pyrotechnics at an anti-right-wing demonstration in Aachen; Around 600 violent protesters were there.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution is watching with concern the attacks on political opponents, as in the case of the “Hammer Gang” around Lina E. Six suspected members are currently having to answer before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court. They are accused, among other things, of attempted murder and aggravated assault. The defendants are said to have inflicted life-threatening head injuries on targets using batons and a hammer. The trial is scheduled to last until next year.