Saxony: Demo organizers accuse the police of harsh intervention

Dresden (dpa/sn) - The organizers of protest rallies on the anniversary of the destruction of Dresden in World War II have accused the police of harsh intervention.

Saxony: Demo organizers accuse the police of harsh intervention

Dresden (dpa/sn) - The organizers of protest rallies on the anniversary of the destruction of Dresden in World War II have accused the police of harsh intervention. "Despite the joy at the successful protest, it must be said that the police could not deal with it and acted harshly against peaceful demonstrators," said pirate politician Anne Herpertz on Tuesday in Dresden. "Physical use, batons and pepper spray were the order of the day, as was the arresting of groups of young people far away from the protests." Even a lawyer who was consulted received a referral. He was denied the opportunity to speak to his client.

The police had separated hostile camps at the rallies on Monday and also confirmed coercive measures such as the use of pepper spray. According to the organizers, more than 2,000 mostly young people streamed into the center in order to "take away the opportunity for a right-wing commemorative march to get into the city center," as the organizers put it. The march could not take place through the city center as desired and had to be diverted.