Protests rock G-20 summit.
Hamburg, Germany — Anti-globalization activists clashed violently with police across the German port city of Hamburg all day Friday, setting cars ablaze, throwing bottles and trying to enter the convention center where Group of 20 leaders tackled topics like international terrorism, climate change and trade issues.
Responding to a second day of protests, police ordered in more than 900 additional officers from across the country to get the clashes under control.
At least 196 police officers were injured, dozens of activists had to be taken to the hospital and more than 70 protesters were detained.
Police condemned the “shocking criminal energy and high potential of violence” on display.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also condemned the violent protests, calling them “unacceptable.”
“I have every understanding for peaceful demonstrations,” Merkel said. “But violent demonstrations endanger human lives, they endanger people themselves, they put police officers and security forces in danger, put residents in danger, and so that is unacceptable.”
Merkel thanked security forces for their work as the Group of 20 met behind a heavy police presence in a nogo zone that was off-limits to most.
Thousands of officers in full riot gear patrolled as many as 30 different protest marches. Most of the demonstrations were peaceful and creative, but some rioters threw gasoline bombs, iron rods and cobblestones through the city.
As night fell, some lit fires in the streets of the city’s Schanzenviertel neighborhood.
In the nearby St. Pauli district, thousands of people danced in the streets to techno and live hip-hop music as the international leaders of the G-20 nations listened to a classical concert at the city’s philharmonic hall under heavy police protection.
More than 20,000 officers were on hand to guard Hamburg’s streets, skies and waterways.
Police trucks blasted protesters back with water cannons, and officers physically dragged away a group holding a sit-in at the entrance to the summit grounds after they jeered and yelled at a convoy heading inside.
Anti-globalization protesters also kept U.S. first lady Melania Trump from joining the spouses of the other world leaders at the summit.