Police arrest dozens of protesters in Denmark
Updated Sun. Mar. 4 2007 8:55 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...nmark_protests_070304/20070304?hub=TopStories
Demonstrators gather in a central square during a night of clashes with police in Copenhagen, early Saturday, March 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Carsten Snejbjerg/POLFOTO)
Police in the Danish capital arrested dozens of people early Sunday after three straight days of protests and unrest triggered by the eviction of squatters from disputed building in the city centre.
Police encountered resistance as they made the arrests, including rock-throwing and arson, but the violence was muted compared to the full-scale riots that broke out on the two previous nights - marking the worst civil violence in Copenhagen in 14 years.
"We are very happy that the situation was so quiet," police spokesman Lars Borg said Sunday.
"The people who want to demonstrate have been more ... aware that the things they are doing are not the right things to do."
Police have made at least 643 arrests stemming from the violence. About 140 of those were foreigners from Europe and the United States. There is no word yet on whether any Canadians have been arrested.
At about 3 a.m. local time more than 30 people were arrested near the abandoned building that has served as a gathering point for leftists, anarchists and punk rockers.
The arrests were made after activists erected barricades on a busy street, then set them on fire.
The unrest first began on Thursday when an anti-terror squad evicted squatters from the so-called "Youth House," a red brick building that has been used as an unofficial left-wing cultural centre for years.
Leftist sympathizers from neighbouring countries travelled to Copenhagen to join in the protests, adding fuel to the conflict that many see as a struggle against capitalism.
About 25 protesters were injured Friday night when angry youths faced off with riot police. Rioters threw cobblestones at the officers, and police responded by blasting tear gas into the crowd.
Another protester was reportedly wounded Saturday.
"Youth House" was originally built in 1897 as a community theatre for the labour movement as well as a cultural and conference centre.
It has recently hosted concerts by artists like Nick Cave and Bjork.
However, the building was bought by a Christian organization six years ago, sparking a legal fight over the possession of the facility.
Burned out cars litter the city streets of Copenhagen following clashes between demonstrators and police in Copenhagen, Saturday, March 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Polfoto, Tariq Mikkel Khan)
A court ordered the squatters to leave, but they have refused to do so, saying the city had no right to sell the building.
With files from The Associated Press
Updated Sun. Mar. 4 2007 8:55 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...nmark_protests_070304/20070304?hub=TopStories
Demonstrators gather in a central square during a night of clashes with police in Copenhagen, early Saturday, March 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Carsten Snejbjerg/POLFOTO)
Police in the Danish capital arrested dozens of people early Sunday after three straight days of protests and unrest triggered by the eviction of squatters from disputed building in the city centre.
Police encountered resistance as they made the arrests, including rock-throwing and arson, but the violence was muted compared to the full-scale riots that broke out on the two previous nights - marking the worst civil violence in Copenhagen in 14 years.
"We are very happy that the situation was so quiet," police spokesman Lars Borg said Sunday.
"The people who want to demonstrate have been more ... aware that the things they are doing are not the right things to do."
Police have made at least 643 arrests stemming from the violence. About 140 of those were foreigners from Europe and the United States. There is no word yet on whether any Canadians have been arrested.
At about 3 a.m. local time more than 30 people were arrested near the abandoned building that has served as a gathering point for leftists, anarchists and punk rockers.
The arrests were made after activists erected barricades on a busy street, then set them on fire.
The unrest first began on Thursday when an anti-terror squad evicted squatters from the so-called "Youth House," a red brick building that has been used as an unofficial left-wing cultural centre for years.
Leftist sympathizers from neighbouring countries travelled to Copenhagen to join in the protests, adding fuel to the conflict that many see as a struggle against capitalism.
About 25 protesters were injured Friday night when angry youths faced off with riot police. Rioters threw cobblestones at the officers, and police responded by blasting tear gas into the crowd.
Another protester was reportedly wounded Saturday.
"Youth House" was originally built in 1897 as a community theatre for the labour movement as well as a cultural and conference centre.
It has recently hosted concerts by artists like Nick Cave and Bjork.
However, the building was bought by a Christian organization six years ago, sparking a legal fight over the possession of the facility.
Burned out cars litter the city streets of Copenhagen following clashes between demonstrators and police in Copenhagen, Saturday, March 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Polfoto, Tariq Mikkel Khan)
A court ordered the squatters to leave, but they have refused to do so, saying the city had no right to sell the building.
With files from The Associated Press
