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Citizens stand in front of the closed entrance to the »Caspar David Friedrich« school.
Photo: Markus Scholz / dpa
During a protest against a refugee accommodation in Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, participants tried to attack Mayor Stefan Fassbinder (Greens) last night.
Police officers managed to prevent this with physical violence and the use of batons, the police inspection in Anklam said on Tuesday night.
The attack was preceded by an unannounced demonstration in Greifswald's Baltic Sea district.
About 500 demonstrators had gathered in front of a planned accommodation for refugees.
About 50 people met quickly in parallel to a registered counter-protest.
Protection from aggressive protesters
At the same time, a meeting of the district representatives took place in a school in the immediate vicinity, at which accommodation was discussed.
The Lord Mayor of Greifswald also took part there for a short time.
At the meeting, the district council voted unanimously against the planned accommodation.
According to the police, several demonstrators wanted to confront the mayor after the protest as he left the school building.
It had become “dangerous” for Fassbinder.
According to their own statements, the police had to protect him from the aggressive participants in the meeting with a chain of officers.
According to the police, there were at least 20 people among the demonstrators who belonged to the right-wing extremist scene.
In the tumult, participants in both demonstrations clashed, resulting in verbal and physical attacks.
The rapid intervention of the police prevented further clashes, it said.
Investigations have been launched into grievous bodily harm and a breach of the Assembly Act.
In addition, complaints were made about the ignition of pyrotechnics.
mrc/AFP
