Police clash with climate protestors in Hamburg

Police officers crack down on demonstrators.

Climate protests: demos and blockades in Hamburg

More commitment to climate protection - that's what activists have been demanding for days at the climate camp in Hamburg's Volkspark. On Saturday, hundreds of people took to the streets for demonstrations. But there were also blockades.

During a blockade action at Kattwyk Bridge, activists clashed with the police. The officers used pepper spray, batons and water cannons, injuring several people.

Earlier, around 30 activists had blocked both lanes on the Köhlbrand Bridge by sticking their hands together in an overturned and hollowed-out bathtub. The police arrived with heavy equipment and tried to cut the tub and loosen the glued hands.

Earlier, several hundred demonstrators had blocked railway tracks of the Hamburg port authority in the Hausbruch district. According to the police, the participants suddenly ran up an embankment during a demonstration and sat down on the track bed. According to the organisation "Ende Gelände", the intention was to paralyse "the only rail connection to and from the container terminals of the port of Hamburg".

From the central rally to other demonstrations

In the morning, hundreds of demonstrators marched from the Peoples Park towards the city centre. Actually, they wanted to march to the Elb Phiharmonic in the Port City. However, after an intermediate rally at Altona station, hundreds of people left for other demonstrations. In other districts in the south of Hamburg, such as Heimfeld and Wilhelmsburg, new marches started later, each with several hundred participants.

Climate activists march through Hamburg city centre

The protesters march from Volkspark towards the Elb Philharmonic concert hall. A rally is planned there at noon.

Demand for more climate justice

The activists are concerned with climate justice. They criticise, for example, that big oil and gas companies are crisis profiteers. "While rising prices and fossil fuel inflation are becoming a poverty risk for many people, the oil and gas industry is making billions in profits," said a spokesperson for the organisation, Ende Gelände in the morning.

Large climate demonstration also on Wednesday

Already on Wednesday, 1,500 climate activists had protested in Hamburg for more climate justice and against the liquefied natural gas terminals planned by the German government. Some participants lit smoke pots, but the police, who also accompanied the demonstration with a large contingent, said that it was otherwise quiet.

The climate camp has been taking place since 9 August and will continue until Monday. It is a cross-alliance week of action by left-wing and climate policy groups.

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