Protests in Stuttgart
nn - 02.10.2010 12:54
Protests in Stuttgart  http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_585804.html
Oct 2, 2010
Fresh protests in Stuttgart
Demonstrators protest against the demolition of the historical Stuttgart train station in Stuttgart. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
STUTTGART (Germany) - TENS of thousands of people rallied in the south-western city of Stuttgart on Friday to protest against a contentious rail project, a day after riot police clashed with demonstrators.
Chants of 'Shame on You!' and a cacophony of vuvuzelas rang out from the crowd, hours after Chancellor Angela Merkel had appealed for calm.
Organisers put the numbers at more than 100,000 people, while police estimated half that number. The night before police used water cannons, tear gas and batons to disperse 20,000 protesters, leaving hundreds of people needing medical treatment.
'Many people are traumatised, because yesterday ... was a catastrophe, we weren't expecting such violence from the police,' said Stuttgart native Werner Braetschkus.
Local police spokesman Stefan Keilbach said Friday's demonstration had passed off without violence and the demonstrators were slowly dispersing through the streets of the city.
'I would hope that demonstrations like these would pass off peacefully,' Dr Merkel told public broadcaster SWR earlier. 'This must always be tried, and anything that leads to violence must be avoided.' -- AFP
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