J'lem: Social justice protesters try to block light rail's path
Day after Tel Aviv demonstration turns violent, dozens protesting in capital against socioeconomic inequality try to block train's path; claim police removed them violently
Some 200 protesters in Jerusalem attempted to block the path of the light rail on Sunday and were forcibly cleared by police, a day after dozens were arrested in Tel Aviv during a social justice protest.
Meanwhile in Haifa, dozens protested against what they called police brutality against the social activists.
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The demonstrators in the capital gathered outside the Prime Minister's Residence and began marching towards Zion Square while trying to block the light rail's path. They were dispersed by police forces. Two protesters were arrested.
"Police forces are trying to silence us. We were not violent and it is our right to march," said Idan Fink, a resident of Jerusalem's Katamon neighborhood. "It was the police who were violent. We took to the streets to protest against socioeconomic inequality and we do not plan on stopping."
Protesters near light rail tracks (Photo: Shmuel Friedman)
Erez Wagner, another social activist, said "we did not block the train's path, but merely walked alongside its tracks to slow it down. The police officers, some of them on horseback, beat a number of protesters."
Jerusalem Police said it will continue to allow legal demonstrations and prevent any attempt at disturbance or blockage of central arteries, explaining that it "won't allow any attempt to disrupt the lives of tens of thousands of Jerusalem residents and will use all legal means at their disposal to prevent demonstrators from doing so."
In Haifa, about 80 people demonstrated against what they referred to as police violence. They called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign.
No more than 25 people gathered Sunday in Tel Aviv's Habima Square, the site of Saturday night's violent confrontations between social justice protesters and police. They dispersed quietly.
Also on Sunday, police filed indictments against 14 people who took part in Saturday night's violent protest in Tel Aviv. The demonstrators were charged with disturbing the peace and rioting.
During a hearing held in the Tel Aviv Magistrates Court, police asked to extend the remand of the protesters for the duration of the legal proceedings.
"Freedom of expression and the right to protest are basic rights, and we must not infringe upon them," said Judge Tzachi Uziel, who denied the police's request and released the detainees.
"However, these are not unlimited rights and those who decide to take advantage of them must ensure that they do so while adhering to the law, and without harming public order or the public's sense of security."
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