Protesters must pay for police operations: the anti-chaotic initiative will be presented to the population in March

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On March 3, 2024, the referendum on the cantonal popular initiative to maintain public order (“Anti-Chaotic Initiative”) and the counter-proposal of the cantonal council will take place in Zurich.

The Young Zurich SVP’s ‘Anti-Chaotic Initiative’ essentially demands that protesters pay the bills for police operations and the damage they themselves have caused. And should not be a burden on the taxpayer.

There are regular riots causing major material damage

Violent riots continue to occur in Zurich. Spray-painted facades, smashed shop windows, burning containers. Last spring, hundreds of people marched through the city in anger over the eviction of the Koch area, which had been occupied for a decade. Including countless violent masked people. Some of them attacked emergency services with stones. The result: major material damage.

With its initiative, the young party not only focuses on chaos and squatters, but also explicitly on climate activists who are on the streets. The initiative is supported by a broad, impartial committee consisting of representatives of the Young SVP, Young Liberals, SVP and FDP.

According to the young party, these dangerous actions would force blue light organizations, drivers and passengers from public transport. The Junge SVP also mentions the monthly Velodemo Critical Mass and right-wing extremists as a ‘target group’.

Climate adhesives had to pay

Until now, the police force in the canton can decide at its own discretion which extraordinary actions they want to charge polluters for and which not. There is a “may” word in the law.

The Young SVP is now calling for a change to a “must” formulation. She is not okay with taxpayers having to pay for the costs incurred.

The Klima-Kleber already had to pay the operational costs for three roadblocks in November.

Subdistrict council against passing on costs

The issue of passing on costs to protesters has already been discussed in the canton council. Last year, parliament discussed an FDP initiative that also called for invoicing protesters or squatters for police operations and damage.

However, the left-green dominated canton council rejected the parliamentary initiative. This is a marketing push from the right and also difficult to implement in everyday life. The government council also spoke out against a change. The current regulations are sufficient. (oco)

Source:Blick