A protest against austerity policies turned violent on Wednesday. The anti-austerity protesters clogged streets in Frankfurt, Germany where the new European Central Bank headquarters was opened. Thousands gathered around the new ECB tower as it was inaugurated.
Policemen in riot gear had to break up the riot with force. Video captures rioters setting fire to various vehicles, including seven police cruisers. The group of anti-austerity protesters has taken on the name of “Blockupy” as they expressed their anger towards budget cuts and rise in unemployment. The movement against austerity has been rising as European countries attempt to rebuild the economy after the drop in the euro.
The protest, originally peaceful, was not intended to be violent, said spokesperson for the Blockupy movement.
“The violent acts of some activists were neither planned nor wanted,” said spokeswoman Frauke Lowe.
Policemen drove away the crowds with the use of water cannons while firemen put out the flames. The rioters injured at least 94 officers with stones and a chemical similar to pepper spray. Members of the violent protest could be seen carrying umbrellas, an allusion to the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong in previous months.
The Blockupy movement is a coalition of several activist groups and is considered leftist. They argue that the harsh fiscal policies adopted by the European Central Bank puts unbearable strain on the public, especially those of the lower economic classes.
Countries such as Greece have directly experienced the austerity policies adopted by the ECB. The budget cuts resulted in job losses, fewer institutional amenities, and poorer living conditions. The hardship became evident when Greek voters elected Alexis Tsipras as the new Prime Minister; Tsipras is a far leftist and promised anti-austerity policies.
Members of the Blockupy Movement view countries such as Greece as important examples and evidence of the need for anti-austerity. The new ECB building cost $1.27 billion and towers over the Main River. Protesters view the building as a symbol of oppression and harsh fiscal policy that the ECB enforces over the poorer European people.
