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Frankfurt Anti-Austerity Protests See Cars Torched At European Central Bank Opening

Extraordinary Scenes As Clowns And Burning Cars Bring Carnage At Bank Launch
Jack Sommers
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Police cars were set alight and officers injured during anti-austerity protests in extraordinary scenes that brought carnage to the streets of Frankfurt.

As the bulk of protesters conducted themselves peacefully ahead of a rally in the city's main square to protest to blockade the inauguration ceremony for the European Central Bank's (ECB) new headquarters in the city, riot police confronted others in violent scenes.

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Police said one officer was injured by stones thrown near the city's Alte Oper opera house, several private vehicles were burned overnight, and two police cars were set on fire at a police station in the city centre.

Another police vehicle smoldered a block from the ECB.

The fires cause black smoke to billow out across the city, the heart of Germany's finance industry.

Frankfurt Protestors Set Fire To Cars
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Barricades burn in front of the new ECB headquarters Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Masked protestors protect themselves against a water cannon of the police Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy activists try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A protestor holds a stone as water cannons of the police approach Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police forces chase protestors who try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany, to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A demonstrator stands on a toppled trash bin in front of the European Central Bank next to a burning barrier in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Three police cars were set alight and two officers injured Wednesday as authorities confronted anti-austerity protesters trying to blockade the inauguration ceremony for the European Central Bank's new headquarters. (AP Photo/dpa, Andreas Arnold) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A demonstrator stands in front of the European Central Bank next to a burning barrier in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Three police cars were set alight and two officers injured Wednesday as authorities confronted anti-austerity protesters trying to blockade the inauguration ceremony for the European Central Bank's new headquarters. (AP Photo/dpa, Boris Roessler) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A protestor empties a trash bin as smoke billows over burning barricades in front of the new ECB headquarters Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Firefighters extinguish flames in burning police cars that were set afire Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A firefighter extinguishes the flames of a burning police car after clashes between demonstrators and police Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A demonstrator walks past a burning police car after clashes between demonstrators and police Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Masked demonstrators run past a burning police car after clashes between demonstrators and police Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Smoke billows over burning barricades in front of the new ECB headquarters Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A protestor empties a trash bin as smoke billows over burning barricades in front of the new ECB headquarters Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police chase demonstrators after they threw stones Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Blockupy alliance said activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People gather at the Roemerberg square as they demonstrate against the opening of the new headquarters of the ECB to protest against government austerity and capitalism Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Supporters of the Blockupy movement protest at 'Roemerberg' against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part at riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Supporter of the Blockupy movement demonstrate at the 'Roemerber' against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part at riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Supporter of the Blockupy movement demonstrate at the 'Roemerber' against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part at riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Supporter of the Blockupy movement demonstrate at the 'Roemerber' against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part at riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Police officers standing guard and acticvists dressed as clown are seen during the Blockupy movement protests against EUs austerity measures on the day the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters official opening in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on March 18, 2015. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Police officers standing guard and acticvists dressed as clown are seen during the Blockupy movement protests against EUs austerity measures on the day the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters official opening in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on March 18, 2015. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Supporter of the Blockupy movement demonstrate at the 'Roemerber' against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part at riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
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Blockupy protesters rally on the opening day of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on March 18, 2015. Supporters of the so-called Blockupy alliance consisting of social movements, activists, workers, trade unions and parties staged large protests against austerity and the authority of the European Central Bank when the bank's new headquarters was inaugurated on March 18, 2015. AFP PHOTO / DANIEL ROLAND (Photo credit should read DANIEL ROLAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL ROLAND via Getty Images)
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Blockupy protesters rally on the opening day of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on March 18, 2015. Supporters of the so-called Blockupy alliance consisting of social movements, activists, workers, trade unions and parties staged large protests against austerity and the authority of the European Central Bank when the bank's new headquarters was inaugurated on March 18, 2015. AFP PHOTO / DANIEL ROLAND (Photo credit should read DANIEL ROLAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL ROLAND via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Blockupy movement protesters march to protest EUs austerity measures on the day the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters official opening in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on March 18, 2015. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Riot police carry away an activist during a demonstration organized by the Blockupy movement to protest against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part as riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images) (credit:Simon Hofmann via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Police officers stand guard near ECB headquarts as the Blockupy movement protests EUs austerity measures on the day the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters official opening in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on March 18, 2015. (Photo by Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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A protester dressed as a clown tries to provoke a police officer on the opening day of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on March 18, 2015. Supporters of the so-called Blockupy alliance consisting of social movements, activists, workers, trade unions and parties are expected to stage large protests against austerity and the authority of the European Central Bank when the bank's new headquarters officially will be inaugurated on March 18, 2015. AFP PHOTO / DPA / ARNE DEDERT +++ GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read ARNE DEDERT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARNE DEDERT via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: A woman is injured as activists clash with police during a demonstration organized by the Blockupy movement to protest against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part as riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Activists march in a demonstration organized by the Blockupy movement to protest against the policies of the European Central Bank (ECB) after the ECB officially inaugurated its new headquarters earlier in the day on March 18, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. At least 10,000 protesters were expected to take part at riot police equipped with water cannons established a wide security perimeter around the ECB site. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)

Hundreds of officers ringed the ECB headquarters ahead of the inauguration ceremony. Protesters are targeting the ECB because of the bank's role in supervising efforts to restrain spending and reduce debt in financially troubled countries such as Greece.

The Blockupy alliance says activists plan to try to blockade the new headquarters and to disrupt what they term capitalist business as usual.

Some 10,000 people were expected for a rally in Frankfurt's main square, the Roemerberg. Organisers have chartered a special train bringing demonstrators from Berlin and are busing in others from around Germany and other European countries.

The ECB, along with the European Commission and International Monetary Fund, is part of the so-called "troika" that monitors compliance with the conditions of bailout loans for Greece and other financially troubled countries in Europe.

Those conditions include spending cuts and reducing deficits, moves that are aimed at reducing debt but have also been blamed for high unemployment and slow growth.

ECB President Mario Draghi has called for more spending by governments that are in good financial shape, such as Germany — a call that has been mostly ignored by elected officials.

The ECB said it planned to be "fully operational" during the protest, although some employees may work from home.

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