[ad_1]
Interview
“I condemn violence in the strongest terms”: San Galo Mayor Maria Pappa speaks clearly after new riots in the city center
The police are not to blame for the measures taken against the spread of the corona virus: Mayor Maria Pappa on the night of the riot in which stones and Molotov cocktails were thrown at policemen.
Maria Pappa on Saturday afternoon for the press conference.
Maria Pappa, did you expect riots and violence from young people on Good Friday night?
He feared it after being promoted on social media.
They were in the city center on Friday and sought to dialogue with the young people. What did you learn from these conversations?
I learned something about his motivation to answer the call. Some said they were looking for action. Others wanted to be together. Others said that the police operation in Drei Weieren a week ago, when an illegal party broke up, was disproportionate; on the other hand, they wanted to show their colors a week later.
Did you feel any aggression in the conversations?
Most of them were in the city center with peaceful intentions and condemned the incidents last Friday. Some were invited, although in my opinion there was less alcohol involved than a week ago. Young people from all over German-speaking Switzerland met in St. Gallen.
He told the media that it was a coincidence that St. Gallen was at the center of the chaos. what do you mean?
After the first riot, we looked for answers to the question: Why St. Gallen? We did not arrive at a conclusive explanation. It just so happens that St. Gallen is in the spotlight as the scene of such riots. Proof is that people come from all over German-speaking Switzerland without any reference to our city.
They stood before the police in front of the media and strongly condemned the violence.
I strongly condemn violence. It’s not the police’s fault that kids have to do without a lot in the pandemic. The use of the police was provided. I do not tolerate violence against police officers. They do their job to protect the population.
What advice would you give young people if there was another night of rioting in St. Gallen on social media next week?
Do not participate. Young people should seek other venues for legal and crown-compliant meetings. Safe and peaceful places.
