Germany: Demonstrations and Clashes against Coronavirus Restrictions
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In Germany, hundreds of protesters against the government measures aimed at containing COVID-19 take to the streets and clash with police who deployed more than 2,000 anti-riot police members in different parts of Berlin.
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Clashes between protesters and Police in Germany
Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters from the Querdenker Movement defied a court order that bans gatherings and organized rallies in the German capital, Berlin, which witnessed clashes with German police.
Berlin Police stated that some protesters "harassed and attacked" security forces in Charlottenburg, west of the capital, and bypassed barricades.
The police also said on Twitter that protesters "attempted to break into a police chain and drag our colleagues out, which led to the use of tear gas, batons, and physical violence," adding that "a number of people were arrested."
The demonstrations were organized at the invitation of the "Querdenker” Movement, which has become the most prominent movement in Germany against the restrictions and measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Bodycheck, Faust und Pfefferspray. Konsequentes Vorgehen der Polizei gegen #Querdenken in Berlin. #b0108 @WELT pic.twitter.com/ABs6XJgqxR
— Martin Heller (@Ma_Heller) August 1, 2021
Judges banned a number of intended demonstrations, and 22,500 people were supposed to participate in one of these rallies on Sunday.
The court stated that it could not allow the gatherings, for fear of the participants violating the rules of wearing masks and social distancing, as the rate of infections in Germany is on the rise.
In anticipation of protesters gathering despite the ban, Berlin Police deployed more than 2,000 anti-riot members across the city.
Some of the demonstrators carried banners reading, "Liberty" and "No to Corona Dictatorship", and the majority of participants did not wear masks.
Germany's Querdenker Movement has attracted an assortment of people including anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, and members of the far-right “Alternative for Germany” party.
It is worth mentioning that thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, participated in the "Querdenker" demonstrations, but their gatherings are usually dispersed for violating the rules of containing the virus.
And last April, Germany’s domestic security agency announced that it would place members of the “Querdenker” Movement under surveillance for posing threat to democracy and over suspected extremist links.
July had witnessed a number of protests and clashes in several countries, such as Australia, France, and Germany, with police officers in protest against the imposition of new restrictions during the fight against COVID-19.
