Police secure the area around the accommodation where President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will stay during their visit to the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. | Getty Melania Trump stuck in Hamburg guesthouse due to protests

Protesters gathered in Hamburg, Germany, to mark the G-20 summit of world leaders prevented first lady Melania Trump from leaving the guesthouse Friday morning where she and President Donald Trump are staying, the first lady’s spokeswoman has confirmed.

Demonstrators have clashed with police at times in Hamburg as the U.S. president and other world leaders gather to discuss economic issues. Melania Trump was scheduled to participate in a program Friday for the gathered leaders’ spouses but was unable to leave.


"The Hamburg police could not give us clearance to leave,” Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s communications director, told the press pool traveling with the first family. "She was prevented from participating in today's spousal program, which she was looking forward to."

On Twitter, the first lady wrote: “Thinking of those hurt in #Hamburg protests. Hope everyone stay safe! #G20.”

German police, some dressed in riot gear, have dealt with protesters who, according to multiple media organizations, have sought to impede travel for G-20 participants making their way to summit events. Police have used water cannons in some cases to disperse protesters, some of whom lit fires overnight Thursday into Friday morning.