Anti-globalisation protesters involved in a third consecutive night of clashes with police in Hamburg are ‘crazy’, according to some refugees in the city.
Police used water cannon trucks against rioters, who hurled iron rods and pavement blocks at authorities, even after G20 leaders had left the city.
“If people did this in Egypt they would be shot,” said Ibrahim Ali, a 29-year-old Egyptian who came to Hamburg in 2011.
“The state provides everything: housing, unemployment benefits and education. Yet those people are not happy. I don't get it.”
Ali was one of three refugees serving beer, falafel and humus to protesters leaving the Sternschanze quarter, as rioters came under pressure from police special units.
"They are crazy. I can't believe my eyes," said Mohammad Halabi, 32, a Syrian who arrived in Germany as a refugee some 18 months ago.
"They have such a beautiful country and they're destroying it."
But Halabi says he cannot be angry at the German chancellor Angela Merkel, who took the decision to welcome refugees into the country.
“Without her I wouldn’t be here,” he said.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have been protesting at the G20 international forum of world leaders.
German chancellor Angela Merkel has condemned their actions.
“I have every understanding for peaceful demonstrations but violent demonstrations put human lives in danger,” she said.
More than 200 officers have been injured, although it is not clear how many protesters were injured.
Many have been gathering in black bloc formations with dark clothing and masks, a protest tactic used by demonstrators associated with the anarchist movement.
Reuters.
