Anti-austerity protest turns violent in Frankfurt

A protest by anti-austerity demonstrators in Frankfurt, Germany that was supposed to be non-violent turned into a chaotic conflict in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

It’s reported that clashes between ‘Blockupy’ activists and riot police erupted when hundreds of riot police apparently charged the crowd.

The protesters are demonstrating against the opening of a new European Central Bank (ECB) base in the city. The ECB has a major role in implementing European austerity measures throughout the European Union.

Police have set up a barbed-wire cordon around the bank’s new building and reportedly several police cars have been set on fire. One police officer has been hurt in clashes, according to police sources. Police have used water canon against the crowd.

The ‘Blockupy’ movement started in 2011 in the wake of the long-running ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protest staged in New York.