Police, anti-ECB protesters clash in Germany

German police have clashed with demonstrators in Frankfurt during anti-austerity protests ahead of the opening of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) new headquarters in the German city.

The violence broke out on Wednesday as groups of demonstrators rallied near the security zone set up around the 1.3-billion-euro (1.4-billion-dollar) new skyscraper in the east of the city.

According to a police spokeswoman, a number of violent clashes took place around the headquarters and also at the city’s Alte Oper concert hall and the financial district.

Protesters set fire to at least seven police cars, smashed windows and threw stones.

In response, police fired tear gas, used water cannon and even deployed armored personnel carriers in a bid to disperse the crowd.

At least two police officers were injured in the clashes, and some 350 people have reportedly been taken into custody.

A massive rally is to be staged in Frankfurt at 2:00 pm (1300 GMT), with more than 10,000 demonstrators expected to join a protest march through the city at 5:00 pm (1600 GMT).

A number of unions along with representatives from Greece’s ruling Syriza Party and Miguel Urban of Spain’s Podemos will participate in the protest.

A group of unions released a statement on Tuesday saying, “We see the European project in mortal danger. Instead of austerity and social cuts, we’re calling for more democracy and a fairer balance of power in Europe and within the ECB.”

In addition, a special train carrying 800 activists is arriving in Frankfurt from the capital, Berlin, and 60 buses from 39 different European cities.

Protesters are angered at the ECB’s role in overseeing bailouts in the continent’s debt-ridden countries such as Greece and at austerity measures and capitalism.

Europe plunged into financial crisis in early 2008. The worsening debt crisis has forced the EU governments to adopt harsh austerity measures and tough economic reforms, which have triggered incidents of social unrest and massive protests in many European countries.

CAH/HJL/HRB

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