Vienna Police Prepare for Eurovision Protests and Drone Ban
Police expect up to 3,000 demonstrators and have planned drone bans, airport-style screenings and cyber defenses for the contest.
- The Eurovision Song Contest's 70th edition begins next week in Vienna under tight security, held amid controversy sparked by Israel's participation in the competition.
- Senior police official Xenia Zauner said authorities expect protests to include "blockades and disruption attempts," with demonstrators registering attendance estimated at up to 3,000 for next week.
- To secure the venue, authorities have vetted 16,000 staff and banned drones within 1.5 km of the Stadthalle, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation will establish a cyber task force.
- Friday, May 15, is Nakba Day, which Zauner said has "great emotional significance for the pro-Palestine movement," while five national broadcasters are boycotting the contest this year.
- Hosting Eurovision is a "complex challenge," said Dieter Csefan, Vienna's deputy police chief, even as 95,000 tickets have been sold to fans from 75 countries worldwide.
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63 Articles
Austria has been looking for a safety net via the ESC. Visitors have to adapt to strict controls.
The ESC is a symbol of a new European reality between the level of terror, cyber-defence and anti-Israel protests: cultural events today are in the tension between security, geopolitics and digital escalation. Europe's biggest music show was never apolitical one.
If Sunday marks the start of Europe's greatest musical spectacle, an entire city is on alert. The authorities in Vienna leave nothing to chance for the ESC.
Boycott-hit 70th Eurovision celebrated amid high security
With provocative songs and glittering performances, the Eurovision Song Contest's festive 70th edition in Vienna next week will be held under tight security in the shadow of controversy sparked by Israel's participation.
InsideNoVA.com
Boycott-hit 70th Eurovision celebrated under high security
With provocative songs and glittering performances, the Eurovision Song Contest's festive 70th edition in Vienna next week will be held under tight security in the shadow of controversy sparked by Israel's participation.
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