International News

HAMBURG, July 6 (APP/AFP): Germany’s G20 summit
host city Hamburg braced for a potentially violent “Welcome to Hell” protest Thursday by anti-capitalist militants as tensions rise in the lead-up to the power meet.
Riot police used water cannon and pepper spray to clear an
unauthorised protest camp in ugly scenes Tuesday night, leaving five people injured and driving fears of more trouble ahead in the northern port city of Hamburg.
Up to 100,000 demonstrators are expected during the two-day Group of
20 meeting that starts Friday and will bring US President Donald Trump, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping and other leaders to the city.
Germany’s second city, hosting its largest ever international
meeting, has deployed some 20,000 police around the event sites, equipped with riot gear, armoured vehicles, helicopters and surveillance drones.
A holding centre for detainees has been set up with space for 400
people and detention judges on hand.
Some 30 demonstrations have been announced before and during the
meeting, organised by anti-globalisation activists and environmentalists, trade unions, student and church groups.
Most are expected to be peaceful but several will be spearheaded by
radical left-wing and anarchist militants known as “black bloc” activists who have often clashed with police, hurling rocks, bottles or fireworks.