title: Police Evict Activists from Squatted Print Shop in Frankfurt
On Thursday, police cleared the interior of a former print shop in Frankfurt that had been occupied by activists. 14 individuals were identified for potential charges of trespassing and subsequently released. There are still 18 people on the roof, according to a spokesperson, who stated that the roof was not evacuated for safety reasons.
"No one is leaving the roof," said a representative for the activists. However, negotiations were ongoing, with a spokesperson issuing an evening statement: "The individuals remaining on the roof are unwilling to leave as long as the print shop remains under siege and sealed off by police. Should the need arise, they plan to spend the nights up there."
The police offered these individuals an escape route during the operation but were declined. Tensions were high at the beginning of the operation, with about 30 people trying to prevent entry. Police pushed them away and reported the use of pyrotechnics at the windows, prompting a precautionary fire department call. Barricades were erected, and officers were pelted with projectiles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Two individuals were arrested on the street outside the building for attacking an officer. The group attempted to help them, leading to the use of pepper spray by police against one of them.
The collective known as "Die Druckerei" has occupied the former print shop for the second time this year, citing its cultural significance. Goethe University, which has the right to evict, made a voluntary vacancy appeal by Wednesday afternoon, which was rejected by the collective. University President Enrico Schleiff expressed disappointment, stating that a peaceful dialogue into the future of the print shop and other issues was negotiable. However, the collective saw this as unclear promises and vowed to continue the fight for preservation. The possibility of repeated occupations was not ruled out.
Elisabeth Kula, chair of the Left Party parliamentary group in the state parliament, condemned the police eviction and urged a return to negotiations. "Instead of forcing facts through destruction with police aid, Goethe University should engage in talks with the squatters' collective," she stated.
Sources:
- – Provided as the base article for the rewriting process, but does not contain the enrichment data.
Enrichment Data Integration:
The enrichment data reflects that there is no current evidence of activists opposing the demolition of the former print shop for a new Max Planck Institute building. This information, like the base article, comes from various news sources and official statements. To stay updated on any potential occupation or resistance, consult local or official news sources for the most accurate and current information.
