'Half The City Is Burning': Hamburg Rocked By Violent, Anti-G-20 Protests

Demonstrators smashed shop windows, torched cars and set fires in the streets.
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As G-20 leaders gathered at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany for a live performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on Friday evening, police moved to disperse thousands of protesters during a second day of violent clashes.

Masked demonstrators smashed shop windows and torched parked vehicles on Friday, and other groups attempted to block G-20 delegates’ routes to the summit. An estimated 100,000 demonstrators acted peacefully, Reuters reported.

The extent of the damage remains unclear at this time.

The rallies have resulted in the injury of nearly 200 officers ― some of whom were reportedly attacked with metal bars ― and led to more than 80 arrests so far, according to Hamburg authorities, who requested reinforcement to support the tens of thousands of police workers already on duty. Dressed in riot gear, they deployed water cannons, smoke grenades, tear gas and armored vehicles to quash the protests.

G-20 members attend a concert at the Elbphilharmonie philharmonic concert hall in Hamburg, Germany, as violent protests erupt in the streets.
G-20 members attend a concert at the Elbphilharmonie philharmonic concert hall in Hamburg, Germany, as violent protests erupt in the streets.
Pool via Getty Images

Under the motto “Welcome To Hell,” far-left demonstrators protested against global capitalism and the leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is attending the summit, as well as the lack of global initiative on climate change.

Members of the anti-capitalist movement, Black Bloc, were visible in Thursday’s clashes, HuffPost Germany political correspondent Jurgen Klockner reported.

“I have every understanding for peaceful demonstrations,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, condemning the violence. “But violent demonstrations put human lives in danger.”

U.S. first lady Melania Trump was also denied police clearance to partake in a tour of Hamburg as tensions escalated on Friday.

“Half the city is burning,” HuffPost Germany journalist Maximilian Marquardt said during a Facebook Live report from the scene in Schanzenviertel, a district nearby. “I think the worst is still to come,” he added, standing in front of flames in the street. Police have since urged people to leave the area.

“The situation here is getting very, very tense. People are building street barriers in order to stop the police,” Marquardt said, before he was hit by tear gas.

Earlier in the day, a 70-year-old woman told HuffPost Germany she had hoped Friday would be calmer, following Thursday’s clashes.

“I never experienced something like this,” she said.

“It is very difficult for the police, because we stand between politicians and protesters,” a policeman told HuffPost. “We cannot please both of them.”

Take a look at some of the photos from Friday below.

Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images
A demonstrator throws a firework against police units during an demonstration against the G-20 Summit on July 7, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany.
MARKUS SCHOLZ via Getty Images
Protesters set barricades on fire.
Leon Neal via Getty Images
A woman covers her face as a fire burns.
Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters
A protester holds a wooden plank.
Michele Tantussi via Getty Images
An anti-G-20 Summit protester lies on the ground as riot policemen charge during the clashes.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
An injured police officer is carried away.
Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images
Police put a crush barrier away.
Hannibal Hanschke / Reuters
A fire burns in front of a shop.
DAVID YOUNG via Getty Images
Demonstrators are hit by water cannons.
Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images
An anti-G-20 Summit demonstrator runs away from a police water cannon.
BORIS ROESSLER via Getty Images
Policemen shoot pepper spray on a demonstrator who has climbed onto an armored vehicle.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Policeman use pepper spray on protesters.
ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images
Riot police chase protesters.
STEFFI LOOS via Getty Images
Protesters light flares.
Alexander Koerner via Getty Images
Police use water cannons on protesters.
CHRISTOF STACHE via Getty Images
Policemen lead away a demonstrator dressed as a clown.
Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images
Police use water cannons against protesters.
Leon Neal via Getty Images
A black cloud moves through the air as demonstrators walk in the street while a fire burns in town.

HuffPost Germany’s Leonhard Landes contributed reporting.

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Protests Erupt At G-20 Summit In Hamburg

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