All photos courtesy of Standard News Photos
FRANKFURT–Large-scale demonstrations and protests in Frankfurt on Thursday were met with massive police presence in full riot gear in the city of Frankfurt.
One group of protestors tried to occupy Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof (Main Rail Station) to set up their tents and sleeping bags, but were informed by the authorities that they were trespassing and would not be permitted to camp out there. The police formed a containment ring around the demonstrators. There were some arrests made.
Other groups of protestors assembled in the old town square near the old Ratskeller, which is a popular tourist destination. The demonstrators were in the square and the police cordoned off their area with dozens of police vans. Protestors confronted the police with chants for revolution.
Meanwhile, the police blocked off all streets to the downtown, shutting down traffic flow and trams, stranding many citizens and tourists who wanted to just go about their business.
Thursday was a public holiday in Germany, Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day) and most businesses and stores were closed. Four days of rallies are planned, with as many as 30,000 people attending. Signs indicate that streets will continue to be blocked off through Sunday, 19th May.
The protests in Frankfurt are part of the worldwide “Occupy” protests. Their protestors are complaining about a lack of democracy in government, and a hi-jacking of the government by monied interests, i.e. the 1%.
Occupy Frankfurt protesters have been camped in a downtown park in front of the European Central Bank since October. Police began clearing the park on Wednesday.
View the complete Occupy Frankfurt Photogallery
