On Wednesday evening, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists gathered on Stephansplatz in Vienna. The rally was actually banned in advance due to safety concerns. Yet there were demonstrations with loud slogans. At the same time, a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Hamas terror took place on Ballhausplatz in Vienna, in which 200 people took part. According to the police, there were a total of more than 300 reports that evening.
There was a large contingent of officers on site, including units from WEGA and the dog brigade. Shortly after hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Stephansplatz, loudspeakers announced that the meeting would be broken up. Nevertheless, the rally lasted several hours.
According to the police, several participants were surrounded during the operation to “initiate an orderly outflow on the one hand and to ensure identification on the other.”
Heated atmosphere
Shortly after 10 p.m. the demo was completely cut off. A planned move towards Ballhausplatz was also prevented. By this time the mood had become increasingly high. Observers spoke of 300 to 500 participants; police had expected 200 to 250, including Hamas sympathizers with “violence-specific ideas.”
304 identities identified
A total of 304 identities were identified. One person was charged under the Criminal Code, 292 people under the Assembly Act and eleven were reported by the police for other administrative offences.
Escalation prevented by police
“The Vienna police managed to prevent an escalation through the measures laid down in the operational planning and the cautious intervention of the emergency services throughout the operation,” police spokesman Markus Dittrich explained in a press release.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
