Thousands blockade European Central Bank in Frankfurt (VIDEO, PHOTOS) rtx106sg

Thousands blockade European Central Bank in Frankfurt (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

RT
May 31, 2013

The entrance of the ECB is blocked by over 3,000 ‘Blockupy’ protesters in a march against austerity. ‘Blockupy’ has announced the coalition has “reached its first goal” of the day.

Anti-capitalist protesters have taken to the streets of the financial heart of Frankfurt a day ahead of Europe-wide gatherings planned for June 1 to protest leaders handling of the three-year euro debt crisis.

“We call up everyone to join our protests.”

German riot police scuffle with protestors in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) head quarters during a anti-capitalism “Blockupy” demonstration in Frankfurt, May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)

The ECB spokesman told The Guardian that the Blockupy protests have not disturbed day to day operations at the bank, but would not specify how many bankers managed to come to work.

Apart from those who amassed outside the ECB, a smaller demonstration took place at the nearby Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) headquarters, where around 50 police vehicles had been deployed. The protesters set off by midday.

The crowd, estimated at 2,500 by local authorities, clutched signs demanding ‘humanity before profit’.

Rain-soaked and dressed in ponchos, the crowd is equipped with a wide array of protest props- vuvuzelas, yellow wigs, pots and pans, and mattresses with the spray-painted slogan ‘War Starts Here’.

Thousands blockade European Central Bank in Frankfurt (VIDEO, PHOTOS) blkxtftcyaay6ec.jpg large

Image from twitter user@Migs_Bru

Blockupy’ has become a top-ten Twitter trend in Frankfurt, and at 10:09am (08:09 GMT), user Enough14 tweeted, “Strong Powerful blockade at Kaiserstr. Not one banker will come through here,” in reference to the ECB headquarters.

Police reported some protesters had thrown stones and there were some clashes at the barricades, but so far the protests are being conducted peacefully.

Thousands blockade European Central Bank in Frankfurt (VIDEO, PHOTOS) rtx106qu

Police stand guard during an anti-capitalist “Blockupy” demonstration near the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt, May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)

The mass of protesters first gathered early Friday morning in the rainy financial center of Frankfurt, in an effort to block roads leading to the ECB and Deutsche Bank headquarters.

The crowd was met by police decked out in riot gear accompanied by large Alsatian dogs. Helicopters hovered above and water cannon trucks were on standby.

Many of Frankfurt’s banks have urged staff to take Friday as a holiday, following a state holiday on Thursday.

Spokesman Martin Sommer said Frankfurt’s financial district could be occupied by as many as 20,000 who believe the Troika – the ECB, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund – is imposing an “austerity dictate” on financially troubled countries they have bailed out.

Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, have received bailout loans and Spain has received loans for its banks.

Blockupy spokeswoman Frauke Distelrath said the protest was not aimed at bank employees, but at its role “as an important participant in the policies that are impoverishing people in Europe, in the cutbacks that are costing people their ability to make a living.”

Thousands blockade European Central Bank in Frankfurt (VIDEO, PHOTOS) rtx106qw

Police try to prevent protestors from breaking through barricades near the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters during an anti-capitalist “Blockupy” demonstration in Frankfurt, May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)

The protesters have been granted permission to demonstrate at the airport by a court on Thursday, even after the airport operator requested the group be kept outside of the terminal.

Blockupy assembled outside of the airport at 1 p.m. local time local time to protest against German immigration policies and what activists have decried as an “inhumane deportation system.”Fraport, the airport operator, has advised passengers to arrive early for their flights.

The court said if the number of protestors in the terminal exceeds 200, police can break up the gathering. Felix Gottwald, a pilot, tweeted that security had been stepped up at Frankfurt airport in anticipation of the arrival of Blockupy protesters. Passengers at the airport have noted the heavy security presence, saying that only those who show a valid boarding pass can enter the building.

Activists are tweeting that anywhere between 200-800 protesters are currently blocking Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1, although those number remain unconfirmed.

In last year’s protests police shut down Frankfurt’s city center in anticipation of the demonstration.

Thousands blockade European Central Bank in Frankfurt (VIDEO, PHOTOS) rtx106rf

Riot police stand near the euro sign in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters during an anti-capitalist “Blockupy” demonstration in Frankfurt May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)

Eurozone employment hits record high to 12.2 percent in April.

The demonstration is taking place almost exactly a year after police detained hundreds in a four-day march against a temporary ban on protests in Frankfurt last June.

Blockupy protesters are also protesting against other issues, including food price.

Related posts:

  1. The Technocratic Revulsion Begins: Photos And Video As Thousands Of Italians Protest Monti’s “Banker” Government
  2. European Central Bank Makes Massive Loans to 523 Banks
  3. Thousands of anti-capitalist protesters converge at Bank of England for G20 riot… with some in an armoured car
  4. European Central Bank Keeps Rates at Record
  5. Federal Reserve boosts flow of dollars to European Central Bank

This article was posted: Friday, May 31, 2013 at 11:11 am

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Ashtar Command - Spiritual Community to add comments!

Join Ashtar Command - Spiritual Community

Blog Topics by Tags

  • - (955)

Monthly Archives

Latest Activity

Love & Joy posted a discussion
 Decree To Activate The Violet Flame In You  Video Link: 5 Minute Violet Flame Meditation - Instant Energy Shift With Melanie Beckler - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYj19HX9K-E  ...
26 minutes ago
Love & Joy posted a discussion
...  Deva Premal - Gaia Ma Gaia Ma, is a sacred invocation to the Divine Mother, celebrating her infinite love, power, and presence within us all.Infused with devotion and gratitude, this mantra is a call to reconnect with the wisdom of the Earth…
1 hour ago
Love & Joy posted a discussion
......The Angels are Listening By Snatam Kaur...In this beautiful live version of Suṉi-ai , Snatam Kaur opens her voice and our hearts....Features an extended section singing "The angels are listening, God is listening, I am listening."...She then…
2 hours ago
Edward left a comment on Comment Wall
"* Freelancer (Culture Planning).....Dealing places...............
* EMW solution (** Zapping(earthing))...............

Thanks........take care........."
4 hours ago
Justin89636 left a comment on Comment Wall
6 hours ago
Justin89636 left a comment on Comment Wall
6 hours ago
Drekx Omega left a comment on Music for your soul.
"Feeling High (Re-Grooved by Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel) Released June 2023🛸✨✨✨👏🏻🌞

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc0ro9f-U4s"
11 hours ago
Drekx Omega left a comment on Comment Wall
"🐦‍🔥What a lovely Egyptian blessing that our new AC friend, named "Eagle Has Returned," posted here...

Her video, invoking a powerful auric shield...via a prayer spoken in the ancient language of Khemet...?? Bravo and thank you...🦅🦅😉👍🏻

Reciprocal…"
18 hours ago
More…