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G20 protests: Thousands take to the streets driven by anger at climate change, inequality and Trump G20 protests: Thousands take to the streets driven by anger at climate change, inequality and Trump
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands continue to take to the streets in Hamburg, Germany in protest of Donald Trump at the G20 summit.  Fires burned across downtown Hamburg at the end of a second day of protests where thousands took to the streets in Hamburg to demonstrate against the G20 summit. 
Some are anti-globalisation activists were part of the “Welcome to Hell” rally. Nearly 20,000 police officers had been deployed to Hamburg as police chief Ralf Martin Meyer said they were expecting "not just sit-in protests but massive assaults". There were clashes between the protesters, many venting their anger at politic and economic inequality, and some of the 20,000 police summoned from around Germany and deployed across the city - with police chief Ralf Martin Meyer having warned that officials were expecting "not just sit-in protests but massive assaults". Around 30 demonstrations gathered across Hamburg throughout the day, and by evening, some protesters torched cars, while others blasted music or set off firecrackers with the intention of disrupting a concert for G20 leaders at the Elbphilarmonie hall. 
With diplomatic security concerns as well, the scene turned chaotic as Germany’s second-largest city braces itself for up to 100,000 demonstrators in 30 authorised events outside of the G20 venue. In the touristy Pferdemarkt area, activists faced off against police in riot gear who were unable to put out fires, with billowing thick smoke dramatically reducing visibility.
In the nearby Schanzenviertel, looters plundered a supermarket. Nearby, a cash machine was burned out. Several police helicopters patrolled overhead. Around midnight local time heavily armed police commandos moved into the district after activists had spent much of the day attempting to wrest control of the streets
The radical Black Bloc movement, which wants to overthrow capitalism, had earlier had some success in disrupting the leaders' discussions despite the ring of security around them.
These activists, donning black hoods and masks, have set dozens of cars ablaze and tried to block leaders' delegations from entering the grounds of the G20 summit, according to police.These activists, donning black hoods and masks, have set dozens of cars ablaze and tried to block leaders' delegations from entering the grounds of the G20 summit, according to police.
Officers separated these anti-capitalist protestors from the rest of the relatively peaceful demonstrators in an effort to contain the damage.Officers separated these anti-capitalist protestors from the rest of the relatively peaceful demonstrators in an effort to contain the damage.
Several people were hurt when police used water cannons, pepper spray, and batons to disperse crowds from blocking roads the night before the summit began. Police said at least 196 officers were injured in the clashes across the city, with 83 protesters temporarily detained and 19 taken into custody.
At least 111 officers have been hurt since the protests began earlier in the week, according to police. The protests marred a summit that German authorities had hoped would showcase the country's commitment to free speech and assembly. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the protests "unacceptable" with the police unable to prevent thousands of protesters fanning out across the city after finding security around the conference area tight/
According to a statement from the local fire brigade, a dozen ambulances and 65 firefighters were called to the scene. As they arrived, at least 76 injured activists showed up for treatment as clashes with police continue.   Ms Merkel said: "I have every understanding for peaceful demonstrations, but violent demonstrations endanger human lives, they endanger people themselves, they put police officers and security forces in danger, put residents in danger, and so that is unacceptable.".
Not all the demonstrators are there to cause violence, however. Several people are there to for a peaceful demonstration regarding Mr Trump’s views on climate change and his withdrawal of the US - one of the world’s biggest polluters - out of the Paris Agreement.Not all the demonstrators are there to cause violence, however. Several people are there to for a peaceful demonstration regarding Mr Trump’s views on climate change and his withdrawal of the US - one of the world’s biggest polluters - out of the Paris Agreement.
The accord was signed by nearly 200 countries in December 2015 in an effort to combat global warming and help poorer countries to adapt to an already-changed planet.The accord was signed by nearly 200 countries in December 2015 in an effort to combat global warming and help poorer countries to adapt to an already-changed planet.
Greenpeace has reported that some of the peaceful protesters were caught up in the violence as well.Greenpeace has reported that some of the peaceful protesters were caught up in the violence as well.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is saying that violent protests are unacceptable as police and demonstrators skirmish in Hamburg.  
She said: "I have every understanding for peaceful demonstrations, but violent demonstrations endanger human lives, they endanger people themselves, they put police officers and security forces in danger, put residents in danger, and so that is unacceptable." German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble cancelled an appearance in downtown Hamburg on Friday morning due to security concerns. Police also declined to clear US first lady Melania Trump's motorcade to leave her hotel for a tour of the city's historic harbour, her spokeswoman said.
Justice Minister Heiko Maas also weighed in. He told the Daily Bild newspaper that the violent protests were a disservice to the big crowd of overwhelmingly peaceful demonstrators. “Thinking of those hurt in #Hamburg protests. Hope everyone stay safe!” the Ms Trump tweeted afterward.
Maas said characterised the violent protesters as “extremist criminals,” adding that “whoever torches cars and injures police officers does not deserve any kind of tolerance." Justice Minister Heiko Maas the daily Bild newspaper that the violent protests were a disservice to the big crowd of overwhelmingly peaceful demonstrators.
As the summit was underway, Ms Merkel’s husband Joachim Sauer was set to host First Lady Melania Trump and White House aide Ivanka Trump for a tour of the German Climate Computing Centre. Mr Maas said characterised the violent protesters as “extremist criminals,” adding that “whoever torches cars and injures police officers does not deserve any kind of tolerance."
The facility, currently housed within the secure G20 venue, uses supercomputers to map climate change’s effect on regions across the world. As the summit was underway, Ms Merkel’s husband Joachim Sauer was set to host Ms Trump for a tour of the German Climate Computing Centre.
It may have been a bid by the chemistry professor to gain some influence over Mr Trump, however the US Secret Service security detail did not allow Ms Trump to leave her hotel due to the protests and security concerns. The facility, currently housed within the secure G20 venue, uses supercomputers to map climate change’s effect on regions across the world.
Other partners, including Ms May's husband Philip, Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau were able to make the tour and do sightseeing with Mr Sauer. It may have been a bid by the chemistry professor to gain some influence over Mr Trump, however the event for all of the G20 leaders' spouses was eventually cancelled .
Ms Trump tweeted that she was thinking of those who were hurt during protests and wished them well. Australian Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull and Indonesian President Joko Widodo were also placed on “security lockdown” for some time due to the violence.
Australian Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull and Indonesian President Joko Widodo were also placed on “security lockdown” due to the violence. The difficulties outside the venues was echoed by some difficulties inside, with leaders set to meet again on Saturday to forge a consensus on trade and climate change that eluded them on the first day of their summit.
Hamburg, Ms Merkel’s birthplace, has long been the home for May Day riots. Negotiators “still have a great deal of work ahead of them” to formulate a passage on trade in the summit's closing communique, Ms Merkel said after the first day of meetings. 
She added that most participants called for “free but also fair trade” and underlined the significance of the World Trade Organszation, though she didn't specify which ones did not support the trade language. 
“The discussions are very difficult, I don't want to talk around that,” Ms Merkel said. 
The German leader said most summit participants backed the Paris climate accord, but there were obvious differences with the US.
“It will be very interesting to see how we formulate the communique tomorrow and make clear that, of course, there are different opinions in this area because the United States of America regrettably ... wants to withdraw from the Paris accord,” Ms Merkel said.