Thousands protest G-7 summit in southern Germany

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[h=4]Thousands protest G-7 summit in southern Germany[/h]Several thousand protesters crammed into this small town in the Bavarian mountains Saturday as rallies across southern Germany gathered steam ahead of the start of two days of economic and security talks between world leaders.

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Thousands of demonstrators packed the German resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Saturday, protesting over a wide range of causes before the arrival of the leaders of the G7 for a two-day summit. (June 6) AP


G-7 protesters demonstrate on June 6, 2015, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.(Photo: Carl Court, Getty Images)


GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — Several thousand protesters crammed into this small town in the Bavarian mountains Saturday as rallies across southern Germany gathered steam ahead of the start of two days of economic and security talks between world leaders.
Around 20,000 police and security officers, some in full riot gear, stood by in 90-degree heat as demonstrators marched from their camp on the outskirts of Garmish-Partenkirchen — a popular resort destination a few hours south of Munich — to the town's central train station and then on toward the Schloss Elmau hotel. Garmish-Partenkirchen sits directly in the shadow of Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain.
President Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and others will convene at the castle-turned-hotel Sunday and Monday for the 41st Group of Seven, or G-7, summit. For the second year running, Russia is excluded because of its continuing military and apparent territorial ambitions in Ukraine, accusations it continues to deny.
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Russia left in summit cold for second year running




The protesters — from all across Germany and Europe — carried slogans and banners voicing concerns about a range of geopolitical and economic issues from climate change to poverty to crises in the Middle East to what they see as compromised democracies and predatory banks.
There were dozens of rainbow-colored flags and synchronized chants denouncing war. The banners said things like "Stop the G-7 now!" or "Revolution is the solution." The demonstrators included anarchists, anti-capitalists and even a group of about 30 clowns.
The marchers were overwhelmingly peaceful, and many families and children were in attendance. But some demonstrators — clad entirely in black — were more aggressive, pushing through the crowds and shouting anti-G-7 slogans.
Police eventually pepper-sprayed some members of the group as they attempted to break through the security cordon. Paramedics attended to one demonstrator. There were no other apparent incidents of violence.

Thomas Mayer protests against the G-7 meeting in Germany during a rally in Garmisch-PartenKirchen on June 6, 2015. The sign he is holding satirizes Germany's traditional lederhosen dress.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY)

Thomas Mayer, a retired care assistant for people with learning disabilities, was walking alongside a truck that was blasting out music and surrounded by barefoot, dancing revelers.
Mayer, from Munich, said that the G-7 meeting should not be happening in Bavaria or anywhere else. He held a sign that poked fun at Bavaria's traditional lederhosen clothing and the area's police force.
"There's no sense in it. It cost millions to put on, and the big leaders of the world, they talk a little bit but they don't ultimately agree on anything, and there are no results. And that's why we are here today," he said.
As the noisy rally subsided, the quiet German Alpine town slowly resurfaced. Townsfolk who had observed the proceedings from the safe distance of second- or third-floor balconies came back out onto the streets. Some closed and hastily boarded up shops reopened.
"It was good to see this happen in our town. We haven't had anything like it before," said Franz Muller, a cook who lives in Garmish-Partenkirchen who was watching the crowds thin out from a quiet side street.
"But I am happy that they are going home now," he added.
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