Swiss police fire rubber bullets during pro-refugee protest in Zurich (Video)

Dozens marched in Zurich’s Helvetiaplatz on Saturday, which is a popular spot for various demonstrations in Switzerland’s largest city. The rally was originally organized by concerned citizens, Ruptly agency reported. The protesters said they were eager to welcome refugees and wanted to express their concern over the inaction of some of EU leaders and governments.

READ MORE: Thousands of refugees streaming through Austria, as Germany accepts first hundreds

As the peaceful demonstration proceeded, a group of left-wing people intervened in the protest, Ruptly reported. Although originally restricted to a static demonstration by authorities, the newer protesters attempted to march to the city center. To halt their progress, riot police used rubber bullets and pepper spray.

On Saturday, the humanitarian traffic jam in Hungary, where thousands of asylum-seekers had gathered on their desperate way further into the EU, started to clear. Up to 10,000 were expected to reach Germany through Austria, during a crisis that has been accepted with mixed reactions by Europeans. While the first group in Germany’s Munich was reported to have been welcomed with applause on Saturday, earlier this week at least 40 people, including children, were injured in Germany after a man pepper-sprayed asylum seekers at a refugee shelter.