Anti-capitalists re-occupy Frankfurt

German police officers escort an anti-capitalism protest march with some 20,000 people in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Protesters peacefully filled the city center of continental Europe's biggest financial hub in their protest against the dominance of banks and what they perceive to be untamed capitalism, Frankfurt police spokesman Ruediger Regis said. The protest group calling itself Blockupy has called for blocking the access to the European Central Bank, which is located in Frankfurt's business district. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

FRANKFURT – Anti-capitalist activists pitched tents outside the European Central Bank in Frankfurt on Sunday, four days after police cleared out an earlier encampment.

An activist from the “Occupy Frankfurt” collective told AFP that the city had given protesters permission to camp until Wednesday.

“But discussions with the city for an extension will take place from tomorrow,” said Thomas, who like many demonstrators declined to give his last name.

“After all that’s happened in the last few days, I can’t imagine the city refusing,” he added.

Police on Wednesday cleared out a camp that had been occupied for seven months in front of the ECB, ahead of huge anti-capitalism protests that took place over the weekend.

Some of the demonstrators hurled paint at police who were moving them on but the clearing of the “Occupy Frankfurt” camp was mainly peaceful.

More than 20,000 people rallied in Frankfurt on Saturday.