Several were injured and more than a dozen arrested after police in Cologne, Germany, blasted people who were protesting the New Year's Eve sexual assaults with water cannons.
The New Year's attacks, committed by those of North African and Middle Eastern descent – and by many who were just admitted into the country on refugee status, according to police sources – victimized more than 100 women. For days, the media failed to report the extent of the incidents, and when it did make the news, the angle did not immediately include the refugee ties.
So dozens took to the streets in protest, both at the failure of police to respond to the New Year's attacks and the dismissal of German Chancellor Angela Merkel toward the risks of the refugees, UPI reported.
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Police ultimately fired tear gas and water cannons at the protesters, in response to their throwing beer bottles, firecrackers and stones at the officers, UPI said. Several officers and a freelance journalist were injured, and at least 15 were arrested.
One protester yelled at police on scene, CNN said: "Where were you on New Year's Eve? Why didn't you protect these women?"
And one protester's sign read: "Rapefugees. Not welcome!"