July 7 (UPI) — First lady Melania Trump was unable to attend an event for the spouses of leaders at the G20 summit after protests in the German host city of Hamburg grew too dangerous.
The U.S. delegation was reportedly unable to receive a security clearance to transport the first lady from her Hamburg hotel to the event, which was arranged by the husband of Angela Merkel.
“Hamburg police couldn’t provide clearance for us to leave,” Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s press secretary, told the German press.
Melania Trump tweeted her sympathies for those negatively affected by the protests.
President Trump, who was driven through the city at high speeds and with a large police escort, made it to the summit on time.
At least 76 people were injured as protestors clashed with police, who deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
Demonstrators expressed their disdain for many of the world leaders in attendance. But in some parts of the city, political expression devolved into looting and violence.
“[The] point is to disturb the G20,” one protestor told CNN. “It’s not right that a few countries get to decide what happens to the rest of the world at this summit.”
As arranged by Joachim Sauer, husband of the German chancellor, spouses of G20 leaders toured the German Climate Computing Centre and took a river cruise.
Melania Trump was eventually able to join her husband at the summit after security concerns subsided. President Trump and the first lady attended the summit’s social dinner at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, which featured a reception, concert and dinner.
