Protests outside Ford’s European headquarters in Germany over plans to shutter Belgian plant
by The Associated Press
Demonstration in response to plans to shut an assembly plant in Genk, Belgium; 5,000 jobs on the line
BERLIN—Ford workers angry about the automaker’s plans to shutter a plant in Belgium broke windows and burnt tires in a demonstration outside the company’s European headquarters in Germany.
Cologne city police spokesman Karlo Kreitz said about 100 of the protesters were taken into temporary custody after three officers suffered minor injuries in the fracas.
Police say the protesters arrived on buses from Belgium and blocked the entrance to the plant.
Then a group of 20 to 40 stormed the building and threw stones through windows while others burned tires and set off firecrackers.
Ford has announced plans to shut an assembly plant in Genk, Belgium, jeopardizing some 5,000 jobs.
Union representatives are meeting with company management in Cologne.
