The entrance of the ECB is blocked by over 3,000 'Blockupy' protestors in a march against austerity. 'Blockupy' has announced the coalition has “reached its first goal” of the day.
Blockupy spokesman Ani Diesselmann announced, "The blockade is standing. The business of the ECB is successfully disrupted."
The ECB spokesman told The Guardian that the Blockupy protests have not disturbed day to day operations at the bank, but would not specify how many bankers had turned up to work.
Blockupy's official website has live updates and invites participation:
"We call up everyone to join our protests."
Anti-capitalist protestors have taken to the streets the financial heart of Frankfurt a day ahead of Europe-wide gatherings planned for June 1 to protest leaders handling of the three-year euro debt crisis.
Next they plan to siege Deutsche Bank at 10:30am (8:30 GMT) local time and then move on to the Frankfurt National Airport.
The crowd, estimated at 2,500 by local authorities, is clutching signs demanding ‘humanity before profit’.
Rain-soaked, the crowd is equipped with a wide array of protest props- vuvuzelas, yellow wigs, pots and pans, and mattresses with the spray-painted slogan 'War Starts Here'.
‘Blockupy’ has become a top-ten Twitter trend in Frankfurt, and at 10:09am (08:09 GMT), user Enough14 tweeted, “Strong Powerful blockade at Kaiserstr. Not one banker will come through here," in reference to the ECB headquarters.
Police reported some protesters had thrown stones and there were some clashes at the barricades, but so far the protests are being conducted peacefully.
German riot police scuffle with protestors in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) head quarters during a anti-capitalism "Blockupy" demonstration in Frankfurt, May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)
The mass of protestors gathered early Friday morning in the rainy financial center of Frankfurt, in an effort to block roads leading to the ECB and Deutsche Bank headquarters.
The crowd was met by police decked out in riot gear accompanied by large German Shepherd dogs. Helicopters hover above and water cannon trucks are on standby.
Many of Frankfurt’s banks have urged staff to take Friday as a holiday, following a state holiday on Thursday.
The crowd was met by police decked out in riot gear accompanied by large German Shepherd dogs. Helicopters hover above and water cannon trucks are on standby.
Many of Frankfurt’s banks have urged staff to take Friday as a holiday, following a state holiday on Thursday.
Image from twitter user@@hronline
Spokesman Martin Sommer said Frankfurt’s financial district could be occupied by as many as 20,000 who believe the Troika – the ECB, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund – is imposing an “austerity dictate" on financially troubled countries they have bailed out.
Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, have received bailout loans and Spain has received loans for its banks.
Blockupy spokeswoman Frauke Distelrath said the protest was not aimed at bank employees, but at its role "as an important participant in the policies that are impoverishing people in Europe, in the cutbacks that are costing people their ability to make a living."
Image from twitter user@Migs_Bru
Image from twitter user@st4rdust1337
Police stand guard during an anti-capitalist "Blockupy" demonstration near the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt, May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)
Police try to prevent protestors from breaking through barricades near the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters during an anti-capitalist "Blockupy" demonstration in Frankfurt, May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)
Riot police stand near the euro sign in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters during an anti-capitalist "Blockupy" demonstration in Frankfurt May 31, 2013. (Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach)
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