Anti-G20 march in Hamburg called off after clashes between police and protesters

The police used water cannon and tear gas to clear a hardcore of masked anti-capitalist demonstrators.

A planned anti-G20 protest march in Germany by around 12,000 people was called off on Thursday after clashes between police and a hardcore of around 1,000 leftist demonstrators, police said.

A police officer sprays water canons during a protest against the G20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany on Thursday. (AP Photo)

“The march was just declared off by organisers,” Hamburg police said on Twitter after the march quickly descended into clashes a day ahead of the start of the two-day G20 summit.

German riot policemen catch a protester during the demonstrations during the G20 summit in Hamburg. (Reuters)

The police used water cannon and tear gas to clear a hardcore of masked anti-capitalist demonstrators.

Protestors threw stones, firecrackers and bottles at police.

Riot police in helmets charged in order to disperse the protestors wearing black hooded tops and masks.

Police expected around 100,000 protesters from around Europe, who say the G20 has failed to solve many of the issues threatening world peace, to gather for the demonstration dubbed “Welcome to Hell” by the anti-capitalist groups behind it.