Police clear climate sit-in in central Berlin

Berlin (dpa) – Several hundred demonstrators partially blocked several streets in central Berlin on Monday as they staged a long-promised protest calling for more muscular climate protection measures from the government.

Two people were arrested and seven police officers were lightly injured.

With fewer participants than expected, and a delay, environmental groups started the demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate, which lies near the seat of parliament.

The police were present in large numbers. Road traffic was diverted and underground traffic was disrupted in the area.

The sit-in, involving some 300 people, was cleared in the afternoon as officers carried many young men and women out from the street on the Platz des 18. Maerz (March 18 Square).

A small group of protesters caused problems for the security forces because they glued themselves to the street using instant adhesives. Police used chemicals to unstick them.

In the afternoon, police spokesman Thilo Cablitz said the situation at the Brandenburg Gate was calm and the blockade had been lifted.

Organized in part by Extinction Rebellion, the protesters say they want to set up a tent city for a week’s worth of demonstrations and other programmes.

Organizers sent messages via social media urging others to come to the protest point – the specific site had not been named in advance, as is common for the group – so they could hopefully gather hundreds of people together.

They also called for the occupation of the Monbijou park, around 2 kilometres away from the Brandenburg Gate.

“At the Monbijou park, infrastructure was set up in no time at all: Tree houses, honeycombs, tripods, big tents, toilets … A great, colourful camp was created,” the organizers wrote online.

Two tents and a few groups of people could be seen in the park. The police surrounded the area and did not let anyone in or out. Some people were sitting in the trees.

Monbijou park was where the two arrests occurred. The seven officers were injured during the arrest.

Another demonstration is planned for Tuesday and further blockades of streets, intersections and buildings are planned for later this week.