Last year around 6,000 people took part in marches in Vienna against the annual ball. Several people were arrested and later received prison sentences after outbreaks of violence.
The ball is organised by Austria's opposition Freedom Party (FPÖ) and student fraternities. In the past it has attracted far-right figures such as French National Front leader Marine le Pen.
On Thursday (January 8th) Offensive gegen Rechts is setting up various information points around Vienna about the planned demonstration.
On the day of the ball it is organising a rally from the University of Vienna to Stephansplatz, which will start at 5pm. From 7pm it plans to set up three “blockade points” throughout the city – at Burgtheater, Freyung and Kohlmarkt. A spokesperson told the Heute newspaper that between 5,000 and 6,000 protesters are expected.
Demonstrations are also planned in Linz, against a student fraternity ball (Linzer Burschenbundball) on January 10th, and in Graz on January 17th against a fraternity ball there.
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