2,500 protesters besiege European Central Bank

Thousands of demonstrators cut off access to the European Central Bank in Frankfurt on Friday to protest against policymakers’ handling of Europe’s debt crisis.

Holding signs saying “humanity before profit” and inflatable mattresses bearing the slogan “war starts here”, the 2,500 protesters from the anti-capitalist movement Blockupy blocked roads in the city’s financial district. Although the protest was largely peaceful, police said some demonstrators had thrown stones and there were clashes with armed police at barricades. Trucks with water cannon stood by and a police helicopter hovered overheard.

Europe’s Blockupy movement was formed after the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. “The aim of this blockade is to prevent normal operations [at the ECB],” said spokesman Martin Sommer.

Many banks closed for the day.