Berlin police expressed disappointment that their attempts to prevent May Day violence, which has plagued the German capital every year for 15 years, had once again failed
Published:
2 May 2003 y., Friday
Anarchists tipped over a number of cars and set them ablaze on Thursday night and threw rocks, bottles and fireworks at police and journalists.
But police spokesman Karsten Graefe said a small number of assailants were to blame for the violence.
"It's depressing when a small number of violent assailants ruins celebrations for everyone else," said Graefe, the chief Berlin spokesman.
After years of fighting open street battles with protesters on May Day, police switched tactics last year to a more passive approach in hopes of lowering tensions and preventing violence.
Police said "a good number of people" were detained and several injured people were seen being carried away from street battles between the left-wing anarchists and helmet-clad riot police.
Berlin police tried to prevent any escalation and initially made no moves against demonstrations that turned violent in the Kreuzberg district.
Some 2,500 riot police in the quarter stood by at first as a few stones and bottles were thrown. But authorities later fired tear gas and water cannons when the number of flung bottles and stones increased and the attackers began toppling cars and setting them on fire.
Šaltinis:
abc.net.au
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The Champs Elysees rings in the holiday season with a festive lighting display.
more »
Westminster Abbey is confirmed as the venue for the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011.
more »
15,000 pilgrams flock to see official unveiling of the world's tallest statue of Jesus in Poland.
more »
Muslims in Bangladesh go to market to buy livestock to slaughter for the approaching holy Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
more »
Ten–year strategy for people with disabilities so they can take part in all aspects of daily life across the EU.
more »
Ahead of the Africa-EU Summit taking place from 29-30 November in Libya, the Commission presents today its proposals for a consolidation of the Africa-EU relations.
more »
Average CO2 emissions from new cars sold in the EU dropped by 5% last year, the biggest annual fall ever recorded, a report published today by the European Commission shows.
more »
Baby koala fights for her life in Australia after being injured by shotgun fire.
more »
Plans to give consumers more control over how personal information is collected and used.
more »
A severe drought pushes river levels in Brazil's Amazon region to record lows, isolating communities and strangling vital boat transport links.
more »