Earlier police spokesman told RIA Novosti they detained about 350 protesters ahead of the opening of a new high-rise ECB headquarters in downtown Frankfurt.
The Blockupy activist group demanded on its Twitter account that Frankfurt police release the detained protesters.
Earlier in the day a spokeswoman of the activist group Blockupy told RIA Novosti that between 300 and 400 people protesting the austerity policies of the ECB had broken through a police cordon around the new bank headquarters.
The Blockupy is a left-wing movement protesting EU austerity policies, particularly those on Greece. The protesters have gathered to disrupt the opening a new European Central Bank building in the city, that reportedly cost over $1 billion to build.
I am appalled about #Blockupy! #ECB helps #EU-Member States to overcome the crisis! Neither the enemy nor justification for violence.
— Michael Roth MdB (@MiRo_SPD) 18 Март 2015
According to the movement, at least 10,000 people from Germany and abroad came to Frankfurt for the demonstration. The protesters have reportedly burned police cars and trash bins. They also blocked the bridge over the river Main and a number of streets, causing traffic jams.
German anarchists got up early for #Blockupy protest against ECB, austerity pic.twitter.com/XeCjTGInqA
— Brian Whelan (@brianwhelanhack) 18 Март 2015
