Occupation Squatters voluntarily vacate Zurich barracks area

Activists from the "Kreis 13" group have been occupying Zurich's Kasernenwiese since Friday evening. The occupiers are now in the process of clearing the area voluntarily, Zurich city police announced on Sunday in response to an inquiry from the Keystone-SDA news agency.

The police have not cleared the area in Zurich's Kreis 4 district, a spokeswoman added. The action was basically peaceful, it added.

According to the police, around 150 masked people took over the Kasernenwiese at around 5 p.m. on Friday evening. They cordoned off the area with partitions and plastic tarpaulins and set up a concert stage. The police were on site but kept a low profile.

When the first emergency services arrived, unknown persons threw objects in the direction of the police officers. According to the police statement, it became apparent that the occupants were mainly from the extreme left-wing scene. After assessing the situation and consulting with the head of security, it was then decided to tolerate the event until Sunday.

According to the police, there were around 700 people in the area on Saturday night. As long as it remains peaceful, no action will be taken for the time being, they said on Saturday morning when asked.

On Saturday evening, several hundred people were again celebrating on the Kasernenwiese. Pyrotechnic objects were occasionally set off. Unknown persons had also thrown paint bags and objects against a façade and windows on Zeughausstrasse during the course of Saturday evening. This caused damage to property, the police reported on Sunday. In addition, isolated noise complaints were received. Otherwise, there were no incidents.

The activists' action was directed against "capitalist urban gentrification". The activists announced on Friday evening that they had "self-determinedly taken the Kasernenwiese" to show that a different city is possible.