The free and democratic basic order essentially includes the right to freedom of expression and the right to assemble peacefully and without weapons in the open air:
Art 8 Basic Law (GG)
(2) For assemblies in the open air, this right may be restricted by law or on the basis of a law.
The state of NRW has made use of the aforementioned legal reservation with its own Assemblies Act (VersG NRW) which was last updated on January 7, 2022.
A meeting within the meaning of this law is a local gathering of at least three people for a communal discussion or demonstration aimed primarily at participating in the formation of public opinion. Public festivals and entertainment events as well as events that merely serve to display an attitude to life therefore do not fall under the definition of an assembly.
If you wish to hold a public assembly in the open air, you must notify the competent assembly authority at least 48 hours in advance, stating the subject of the assembly or procession (§ 10 Para. 1 VersG NRW). Every public assembly must also have a leader in accordance with Section 18 in conjunction with Section 7 VersG NRW. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the district police authorities are the assembly authorities.
The police will advise you as the registrant on the details of the assembly. In the event of ambiguities or more extensive planning requirements, the police will invite you to a cooperation meeting in which ambiguities can be clarified and any problems solved together.
Depending on the type and scope of your assembly, you must also expect conditions to be imposed, such as the provision of stewards to ensure order within the assembly. The assembly can also be banned or dissolved if, according to the apparent circumstances, public safety or order is directly endangered during the assembly.
The registration must be made with the district police authority in whose district the public assembly or parade is to take place.
On the legal page you will find further information on the subject of assembly law as well as your contact person in the Ennepe-Ruhr district.