Top German court lifts ban on assemblies in eastern town that saw anti-foreigner violence

In this Aug. 28, 2015 picture refugees look for fitting clothes among the donated items at a welcome party for refugees in Heideau, Germany. Local authorities had imposed a blanket ban on public assemblies to prevent a repeat of the violence that occurred outside a refugee shelter last weekend, in which dozens of police officers were injured. The ban was partially lifted by a court to allow a welcome party for refugees to take place. (Sebastian Willnow/dpa via AP) (The Associated Press)

German riot police check the identity of a person after a temporary assembly ban near an accommodation for immigrants in Heidenau, eastern Germany, Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. A refugee shelter was attacked by far-right protesters in Heidenau over the last weekend. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (The Associated Press)

German riot police surround persons and check their identity after a temporary assembly ban near an accommodation for immigrants in Heidenau, eastern Germany, Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. A refugee shelter was attacked by far-right protesters in Heidenau over the last weekend. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (The Associated Press)

Germany's highest court has overturned a weekend ban on assemblies in an eastern town where anti-foreigner violence a week ago shook the country.

Local authorities had imposed a blanket ban on all public assemblies in Heidenau, near Dresden, through Monday morning. The move came after a far-right mob a week ago hurled bottles and fireworks at police protecting a temporary shelter being set up for 600 refugees.

A regional court allowed a welcome party for refugees to take place Friday but otherwise upheld the ban. The Federal Constitutional Court lifted the ban completely on Saturday.

Chancellor Angela Merkel traveled to Heidenau on Wednesday and said what happened there was "shameful and repulsive."