In Frankfurt, farmers demonstrate around the airport against the traffic light policy. In Hamburg, suspected “lateral thinkers” blocked the delivery of newspapers – because they disagree with the reports about protests.
The dispute over cuts in agricultural subsidies continues to smolder. Farmers have been demonstrating at Frankfurt Airport since the morning. As a police spokesman said, the farmers went to the airport at around 6 a.m. in the morning. A protest trip around the site was planned.
“North of Frankfurt Airport counterclockwise west around the airport via Mörfelden to Cargo City Süd and after a U-turn back clockwise. The tour ends in the direction of Schwanheim,” the Hessian farmers’ association explained the planned route.
Passengers must be prepared for disruptions when traveling; the police expect road closures until the afternoon. The airport operator Fraport asks that you travel by public transport or allow more time for the journey by car. Up to 2,000 tractors were announced, but initially significantly fewer arrived. According to police, there were 500 to 600 tractors early Saturday morning.
Press distribution center blocked
In the Rahlstedt district of Hamburg late on Friday evening, around 70 people blocked a press distribution center with several cars, vans and a semi-trailer for around three hours. According to reports, the protesters justified their action by saying that the media – including the Hamburger Abendblatt, the Hamburger Morgenpost and the Spiegel – had incorrectly reported on the German crisis and the farmers’ demonstrations.
The demonstrators appeared shortly before midnight in front of the three entrances of the press wholesaler, which supplies Hamburg retailers with newspapers and magazines. According to the Hamburger Abendblatt, there was a banner hanging on the tractor-trailer that read, “The traffic light is flickering, it’s quite possible that it will go out soon.” The men blocked the access roads and threatened to bring in additional concrete blocks.
Protesters from the “lateral thinker” scene?
Shortly after 2 a.m. the police were able to break up the unannounced gathering. According to the Hamburger Abendblatt, a few hours were lost during delivery. Ultimately, all dealers could have been supplied.
As the newspaper also reports, the police consider the protesters to be part of the “lateral thinker” scene. The officers identified the personal details of several people involved. The license plates of the vehicles were also recorded.
Another blockade in the port of Hamburg prevented
The Hamburg police had previously apparently prevented a blockade of the Köhlbrand Bridge – one of the most important connections in the port. According to the situation service, farmers with their tractors had gathered in the port area. Before they reached the bridge, however, they were stopped by the emergency services. The police set up checkpoints in the port area to prevent new blockades.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, an almost 24-hour blockade by farmers on important access roads to the port of Hamburg had already sparked discussions. One of the unauthorized actions also significantly hindered traffic on Autobahn 7 at the Elbtunnel and throughout the city due to the backlogs.
Demo in Bremerhaven escalates
In Bremerhaven, farmers blocked access to the port on Friday. After the registered demonstration was dissolved, the situation escalated after a spontaneous demonstration with around 60 to 70 vehicles blocked the port again in the afternoon.
How radio bremen Citing the police, the demonstrators initially adhered to the meeting requirements, but towards the evening they unilaterally ended their cooperation with the police. The demonstrators consistently violated the requirements and did not leave the place even after the demonstration was dispersed.
Attack on police officers
The mediation of CDU state parliament member Claus Seebeck, who came at the request of the protesters, also had no effect. In the evening the riot police finally arrived. The police filed criminal charges against all remaining demonstrators.
According to police, two demonstrators drove towards police barriers in an attempt to break through them. The officers were just able to get out of the way.
protest against Subsidy cuts
In Germany and many other European countries, farmers are currently protesting against the policies of their governments and the EU.
In this country, resentment was sparked by planned subsidy cuts in view of the budget crisis. Farmers in Germany have been blocking important transport connections such as motorway entrances and harbor entrances for weeks, and they have also staged large tractor demonstrations in cities and secret drives on motorways. They are supported by the transport and logistics industry, among others.