Anti-War Protesters Disrupt Trading

More than 500 anti-war demonstrators blocked the entrances to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange today, disrupting the start of trade as scuffling broke out.

Protesters against the Persian Gulf war, chanting “War profiteers” and “Traders and bankers are mass murderers,” formed a human chain in front of the entrances to the building.

About 20 minutes before official trade began, helmet-clad police moved in to open corridors in the crowd of protesters to escort people into the exchange. Police forced the way clear after protesters refused to yield and some pushed back, kicking, shoving and punching police and those trying to enter the building.

Eggs and paint-filled containers flew through the air.

Several aggressive protesters were dragged from the crowd by police, and authorities later said two had been arrested.

“The time for passive resistance to the war has passed,” said Oliver Bruechert, 22. “We’re not content with symbolic actions. We want to effectively disrupt the war effort.”

“We’re just employees,” said one trader. “We’re not profiteers. We’re just trying to do our job.”