Display of a meeting in the open air
For your notification of assembly, please use the form available for download and send it by e-mail to the Soest district police authority: versammlung.soest [at] polizei.nrw.de (versammlung[dot]soest[at]polizei[dot]nrw[dot]de).
Important: If you want to register an assembly at short notice outside normal office hours, for example at the weekend, please use one of the following methods:
- by e-mail (poststelle.soest [at] polizei.nrw.de (poststelle[dot]soest[at]polizei[dot]nrw[dot]de))
- by telephone (02921 9100-0), by fax (02921 9100-1399) or as an online advertisement via the Internet Police Station (https://internetwache.polizei.nrw/en/i-would-request-something/public-gatherings)
- In person at any police station
Legal matters: Assemblies in the open air
The right to assemble peacefully and without weapons in the open air is one of the fundamental pillars of our democracy - and is therefore also enshrined in Article 8 of the German Basic Law. An assembly in this sense exists when at least three people come together for a collective discussion or demonstration aimed at participating in the formation of public opinion. Information stands with a one-sided offer of information, public festivals and other (entertainment) events therefore do not fall under the definition of an assembly.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the NRW Assembly Act (VersG NRW) applies to public assemblies.
In principle, a public assembly in the open air must be notified to the competent authority at least 48 hours before the invitation or call to the assembly. The Soest district police authority is responsible as the assembly authority for assemblies that are to be held in the district of Soest.
The purpose of the notification requirement is to enable the police to protect the assembly and thus ensure that it runs peacefully and that the fundamental right to freedom of assembly is exercised without disruption. To this end, the police advise the organizer on the details of the assembly. By notifying the police in good time in advance, the organizers and the police can exchange information comprehensively, discuss necessary measures and clarify open questions or problems in advance. In a cooperation meeting, for example, the route of a parade is agreed in order to prepare any necessary traffic measures such as road closures.