The WEF starts in Davos in two days. While some are looking forward to it, others are quite anxious about the occasion.
A “Smash WEF” demonstration against the forum took place at Zurich’s Stadelhofen on Friday evening at 8 p.m. The rally is an unauthorized demonstration. “Together against the crisis, the state and capital,” write the organizers on their website.
As the Zurich city police announced on Twitter, they were aware of the rally and advised to bypass the Bellevue area on a large scale. Already before 8 p.m. some box vans were ready at Bellevue and Stadelhofen. Several dozen people gathered in the Stadelhofen/Sechseläutenplatz station area and then formed an unauthorized demonstration in the direction of Central.
Rubber shot and tear gas used
In order to prevent people from crossing the Limmat, the city police temporarily closed the bridges. At the Central, the demonstrators split up and one group tried to break through a police line, prompting rubber bullets and irritants to be used. The demonstration then broke up.
The Zurich City Police checked several people in advance, gave directions and seized demo material and pyrotechnic items. Two people were taken to a police station for further investigation. A woman also fell when she tried to break through the police barrier and injured herself. She had to be taken to a hospital by the Zurich Protection & Rescue Service. (dzc)