Joyful Gatherings in Düsseldorf Following Morocco's Win
On the early morning of Saturday, June 20, the atmosphere around Ellerstraße in Düsseldorf-Oberbilk was vibrant and celebratory. Just minutes after the Moroccan national football team narrowly secured a 1-0 victory over Scotland in their second group match of the ongoing World Cup, numerous individuals from the Moroccan community flooded the streets to rejoice in their team’s success. This exuberance attracted many from the surrounding areas, who drove their cars to the epicenter of the celebrations at the corner of Ellerstraße and Linienstraße, creating a lively scene.
The match commenced at midnight German time, and as the final whistle blew shortly before 2 AM, Oberbilk erupted into a state of jubilation. Revelers sang, set off fireworks, and honked their horns in a vibrant display of enthusiasm. According to a spokesperson from the Düsseldorf police, approximately 600 people were present on the streets by around 2:15 AM, celebrating Morocco's win. Additionally, the police noted that about 400 vehicles were counted in the vicinity at the peak of the festivities. It is worth mentioning that the celebrations remained peaceful, a notable contrast to the previous week when Moroccan fans had pelted police officers with fireworks following a 1-1 draw against Brazil.
Community Reactions to the Late-Night Festivities
Despite the jubilant celebrations, not all residents in the immediate neighborhood were pleased with the late-night revelry. Many voiced their discontent online, including one resident who wished to remain anonymous, expressing frustration over the significant noise disturbances. She reported that noise complaints began as early as Friday night, June 19, when persistent car honking started an hour before the match began. Following the game, the situation escalated significantly, with an estimated 400 individuals and around 40 vehicles gathering at the intersection to celebrate Morocco’s victory loudly. The resident recounted that honking was constant, and drivers repeatedly cruised up and down the entire Ellerstraße, while fireworks were set off intermittently.
Although multiple residents reportedly contacted the police regarding the celebrations and the accompanying noise pollution early Saturday morning, the resident claimed that the numerous officers present only had orders to cordon off the area. Consequently, the disturbances continued for hours without any effective measures taken to mitigate the noise. The police spokesperson, however, indicated that by around 4 AM, the celebrations had come to a halt, confirming that there were indeed complaints from local residents regarding the Moroccan festivities.
The police emphasized that their approach during such incidents is to act in a de-escalating manner and exercise discretion, even when the celebrations contravene the legal nighttime quiet hours, which in North Rhine-Westphalia are from 10 PM to 6 AM. The resident expressed significant disruption to her sleep that night, questioning why no effective actions were taken to address the noise despite numerous calls for help. The police explained that the lack of any criminal activity or violent outbreaks played a role in their decision-making, as there were no attacks on officers reported.
Later that Saturday evening, following Germany's victory, additional celebrations erupted throughout the city, characterized by car parades and more honking, alongside the repeated use of fireworks. Areas around Heinrich-Heine-Allee and the Königsallee were particularly lively, although these festivities did not attract complaints. As the World Cup continues, it is evident that the excitement remains high.
The residents around Ellerstraße should brace themselves for another loud night on the evening of Wednesday, June 24, as Morocco faces underdog Haiti at midnight, with hopes of securing a spot in the knockout phase of the tournament. Another Moroccan celebration in Oberbilk seems imminent.
As reported by nrz.de.
