Masked anarchists torch 16 Amazon delivery vans in arson attack as cops break up ‘Black Bloc’ march
MASKED anarchists in Germany have caused a roaring arson attack on at least 16 Amazon delivery vans as fiery protesters battled with cops.
Thousands of demonstrators took over the streets of Berlin to take part in a left wing extremist march last night on what is known as Walpurgis Night – causing carnage throughout the capital.
Vans were seen bursting into flames on Thyssenstrasse in Berlin in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Witnesses claim they saw a group of masked people running up to the Amazon motors before torching them.
Up to 28 emergency crews witnessed the horror fires ravage through the streets as they tried to extinguish the carcasses of the trucks.
Terrifying images show the delivery vans parked up next to each other burning away.
Bright orange embers could be seen reaching above eight feet in the air as smoke filled Berlin’s night sky.
Firefighters were forced to watch on in disbelief at the carnage.
The suspected arsonists are part of a group of people who ventured out into the German capital on Tuesday holding banners and signs saying “Take back the night”.
Known as a left-wing extremist group, the Black Bloc group marched as they wore balaclavas and stormed through the areas of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg.
The most extreme members of the group are known to cause trouble and use balaclava’s as their gang symbol.
They protested against a make dominated society they feel they face with one sign even calling for the “destruction of patriarchy” altogether.
Some members even held up flares as they stood topless on buildings.
Sensing the opportunity to gain some more support, the queer-feminist demonstration took to the streets purposely on Walpurgis Night, say BILD.
Initially, just 900 people began marching at around 7:30pm but as the night went on and trouble worsened up to 3,000 rioters were present.
The group quickly dispersed before disappearing moments after the vans were torched, reports BILD.
Officers were reportedly met with aggression throughout the evening as several red flares were seen in the sky.
Pyrotechnics, rocks and eggs were also reported as being pelted at cops.
Footage shows the riot police battling their way through crowds of people as they attempt to keep the marches under control and keep themselves and others safe.
Anti-Israel protesters also marched in the streets with signs as they continue to call for an end to the war in Gaza.
One had “queers for Palestine” scrawled across a white sheet as a second said “no justice on stolen land”.
The demonstrations were all quickly broken up, say police.
No arrests have been announced as of yet.
What is Walpurgis night?
IN the simplest form, Walpurgis Night is where locals come together to scare away evil spirits and witches with loud noises, fires and foliage.
Walpurgis Night is a traditional holiday celebrated on April 30 across many countries in Europe.
Mainly practised in Germany, Sweden and other parts of Scandinavia, the holiday sees locals take to the streets in fancy dress costumes as they play pranks on each other, sing songs and make bonfires.
The celebrations often cause chaos due to the fires and noises that go on long into the night.
Others choose to peacefully leave out foliage to ward off evil or even leave bread with butter and honey on for the “phantom hounds” to eat – similar to Christmas traditions.
The origins of the sacred night go way back to pagan festivities that signal the coming of spring.
Walpurgis as a name comes from Saint Walpurga – an English nun who lived in Germany.
She was renowned for her powers of healing with the Saxons and beat “pest, rabies and whooping cough” it is claimed.
Walpurga was seen as the cure to witchcraft as she rubbished theories of sorcery and curses many believe led to illnesses.
In Germany it is seen as a Halloween-style night with fireworks, pranks costumes and booze.
Berlin police warned that violence could break out earlier in the day ahead of the huge protests.
Interior Senator Iris Spranger said: “Those who want to bring violence and hatred onto the streets of our city will be met will consistent intervention and targeted action.”
Local reports said cops threatened to take “immediate” action against unruly protesters.
Peaceful demonstrations were seen throughout the night of April 30, in other parts of Berlin, Leipzig and Hamburg.
The reason why the Amazon trucks were set alight is still unclear.
However, the company has come under fire recently after workers went on strike on multiple warehouses across Europe to campaign against the work environment and staff pay.
In Germany alone, over 2,000 workers took part in the strikes.
Labelled as “Make Amazon Pay”, the campaign coordinated by the UNI Global Union was started after Black Friday in November and featured over 30 countries.