A demonstration in Zurich on Saturday calling for a more open Swiss policy towards migrants ended in skirmishes with the police. Protestors were prevented from heading towards the city centre by the police through means of rubber bullets. 

According to German language news website Watson, between one to two thousand people had gathered at Helvetiaplatz in Zurich for a peaceful demonstration demanding more solidarity with migrants and adoption of an open borders policy towards them. Many hoisted banners with slogans like “Open heart, open mind, open borders”. 

However, within a short span of time, with the encouragement of a few participants, the demonstration was transformed into a protest parade headed towards centre of the city. The rally was stopped by the police while turning into the Langstrasse street and shots of what appear to be rubber bullets were fired to disperse the crowd. 

Helevetiaplatz is a popular venue for holding demonstrations in Zurich and the rally was organised by local artists.

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