‘Blind destructive rage’: At least 93 police officers injured, more than 350 protesters arrested during chaotic May Day in Berlin
May Day celebrations in Germany’s capital devolved into rioting, with burning barricades and scuffles between protesters and police. Nearly 100 officers were injured in the skirmishes, local security officials said on Sunday.
Berlin saw over 20 various demonstrations held by various political movements to mark Labor Day on Saturday. While most were peaceful, some descended into violence, with the left-wing ‘Revolutionary May 1st Protest’ turning out to be particularly chaotic.
The march, which is held annually in the neighborhoods of Neukoelln and Kreuzberg, has a long history of violence and rioting. This year, the rally was registered as an event for 1,000 participants due to the Covid-19 situation. Nevertheless, some 8,000 marchers showed up for the protest that soon saw clashes with the police.
“Violence against police officers and a blind, destructive rage has nothing to do with political protest,” Berlin’s interior minister, Andreas Geisel, said on Sunday.
May 1 is a day of political diversity. And of course freedom of expression and assembly apply even in times of pandemic. However, violence and incitement have no place in our city.
Rowdy protesters chanted anti-police slogans, pelted officers with various objects, attempted to erect barricades in the streets and set garbage bins and other objects on fire. According to the latest official figures, some 354 protesters were detained after the violence, while at least 93 police officers were injured in the skirmishes.
“The high number of injured officers makes me stunned. I wish all of those who were injured in the line of duty a quick recovery,” Geisel stated.
Also on rt.com Streets set on fire as police and May Day protesters battle in Berlin (VIDEOS)A massive police force has been deployed to contain the violence and the rally was declared at around 9pm local time. Berlin currently remains under a coronavirus-induced curfew that is enforced between 10pm and 5am. The unrest in the streets, however, continued for several hours past the curfew.
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