Halloween Rampage in Zurich District 4: Tens of Thousands in Damage, Police Deploy Water Cannons
Severe clashes erupted in Zurich's district 4 during the night into Sunday. Barricades burned, windows shattered – police deployed water cannons and rubber projectiles.
Chaos Instead of Halloween: Far-Left Demo Wreaks Havoc in Zurich District 4
During the night into Sunday, a Halloween demonstration in Zurich's district 4 descended into severe clashes, as reported by 20 Minuten. Masked participants from the far-left scene destroyed shop windows, sprayed building facades, and set fire to barricades made from rubbish trucks, e-scooters and e-bikes. Shortly after midnight, damage is estimated at tens of thousands of francs according to the report.
Police arrived with water cannons and rubber projectiles. Tear gas also dispersed into surrounding bars, where party-goers were temporarily unable to stop crying.
Among those affected is Ross Taylor, co-owner of the Flux Bar in district 4, who was hosting a large anniversary party that evening. "Shortly after half past midnight, I saw some masked individuals stealing our rubbish truck and trying to set it on fire in the street," Taylor told 20 Minuten. Several vehicles were already burning at that point.
Taylor immediately ran outside and managed to recover four of the vehicles. One rioter told him the city would cover the damage anyway. "But we can't wait that long – we need them to operate," Taylor said.
Shortly afterwards, the water cannon arrived. Water laced with tear gas drove Taylor and his guests back into the bar. "Shortly after that we could barely see," he describes. There had been huge overcrowding; guests retreated into the stairwell. Taylor describes the police response as "quite dangerous".
At the same time, he levies sharp criticism at the demonstrators: "This destructive rage is completely inappropriate. They destroy things that belong to the general public and film themselves doing it – just for an ego boost."
According to the report, the rioters engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with police throughout the night and repeatedly erected new barricades in the neighbourhood.
Source: 20 Minuten