G-20 summit 2017 protests prompt police to call in reinforcements
HAMBURG, Germany -- Anti-globalization activists clashed violently with police across the German port city of Hamburg all day Friday, setting cars ablaze 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. Over 160 police officers were injured, dozens of activists had to be taken to the hospital and more than 70 protesters were detained.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the violent protests as "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."
German-American activist Emily Lickurr, who helped organize the protests, and her fellow left-wing activists hold G-20 leaders responsible for a host of problems including climate change, the migration crisis and economic inequality, CBS News White House and senior foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan reports.
"These protests are against the violence of the G-20," Lickurr told Brennan. "We believe that there is no hope coming from the G-20. We want the American people to know that Donald Trump has no friends here and that when Donald Trump comes to Germany for his first visit to Germany there will be a massive opposition."
Merkel thanked security forces for their work as the Group of 20 met behind a heavy police presence in a no-go 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.
