Demonstrations against police brutality turn violent as banks broken into and roads blocked; 85 arrested. Activists also marched through the streets, blocking Ibn Gvirol Street and the Ayalon highway at different points. Vandals also threw knocked over garbage cans, according to media reports.
Police arrested 85 people in the overnight hours between Saturday and Sunday as a protest in support of social activists in Tel Aviv turned violent.
Bank branches were broken into, eggs were thrown and roads were blocked as an estimated 3,000 people massed in central Tel Aviv Saturday night to to protest perceived police brutality against demonstrators Friday evening.
Tent-carrying protesters smashed windows in a branch of Bank Leumi near Rabin Square and in a nearby branch of Bank Hapoalim, according to media reports. Demonstrators also reportedly attempted to break into a branch of Discount Bank and threw eggs at City Hall, adjacent to Rabin Square.
Activists also marched through the streets, blocking Ibn Gvirol Street and the Ayalon highway at different points. Vandals also threw knocked over garbage cans, according to media reports.
Police commandeered a Dan bus to transport all the arrested activists.
“They crossed every red line,” Tel Aviv police chief Aharon Axel said. “We won’t allow this to devolve into violence.”
[…]
