Demonstrations are common

All Americns are cautioned to avoid the area around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates on the situation. Nonetheless, these demonstrations can attract counter-demonstrations and have the potential to turn violent. Prior police approval is required for public demonstrations, and police oversight is routinely provided for participants and passersby. Demonstrations are common on politically significant holidays, such as German Labor Day on May 1, and during international summits hosted in Germany. Germany regularly experiences Rocket German demonstrations on a variety of political and economic themes. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, Germanys open borders with its European neighbors allow the possibility of dangerous individuals entering/exiting the country with anonymity. Specific threats have been uncovered and prosecutions undertaken, though Germany itself has been largely free of terror incidents.