Protestors Try to Bar Access to Europe's Central Bank

Protesters swarmed the European Central Bank in Frankfurt today, with a police-estimated crowd of 2,500 gathering in an effort to to block access to the institution. The "Blockupy" demonstration comes in response to officials' approach to the region's debt crisis, Reuters reports. Anti-capitalist protesters—holding signs reading "Humanity Before Profits" and "War Starts Here"—were met by an armed police presence outfitted with riot gear and dogs. But though there were some reports of stone-throwing, the event was largely peaceful.

"The aim of this blockade is to prevent normal operations," said a rep for Blockupy, who added that some employees were indeed barred from accessing the bank. The bank, for its part, said it was trying to stay open today. Demonstrations are planned across Europe tomorrow. (More Germany stories.)