Police Stirred Up Tensions Prior to Protests in Frankfurt - Blockupy

The protesters from the left-wing political group Blockupy, who staged anti-austerity protests in Frankfurt on Wednesday, were also protesting against the current economic system, the Blockupy spokeswoman told Sputnik.

MOSCOW(Sputnik) – Frankfurt police stirred up tensions at the European Central Bank (ECB) building several days before they erupted, a Blockupy spokeswoman told Sputnik Wednesday.

“I think, over the last several days, police already created a state of emergency. They have been patrolling the area on horses here, over 25 water cannons have been put into operation. I think police stirred up tensions from the very beginning,” Hannah Eberle from Blockupy said, adding that the movement‘s aim was not to confront the police but to advocate its political vision.

The protesters from the left-wing political group Blockupy, who staged anti-austerity protests in Frankfurt on Wednesday, were also protesting against the current economic system, the spokeswoman told Sputnik.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the group’s activists clashed with police outside the new European Central Bank (ECB) building in Frankfurt, trying to disrupt the opening of the new $1-billion ECB headquarters.

More than 90 police officers were wounded and over 100 protesters affected by tear gas during the morning rally, according to various sources. At least 16 protesters were arrested.

Blockupy is a left-wing political group protesting EU austerity policies, particularly those recently imposed on Greece.