German police halted a Berlin march by thousands of people opposed to coronavirus restrictions in the biggest of several European protests on Saturday against anti-virus curbs and masks to halt the pandemic.
With new COVID-19 cases on the rise, European nations are starting to tighten controls while trying to avoid the major lockdowns imposed earlier this year to contain the outbreak that has killed more than 800,000 people worldwide.
Across the globe, governments are struggling to revive battered economies while managing public frustration over new restrictions and masks to curb infections.
First, the demonstration was allowed to continue after a bitter legal battle.
Thousands attended the protest in Berlin.Source:Getty Images
“The minimum distancing is not being respected by most (of the demonstrators) despite repeated requests,” the police said. “There is no other option than to break up the gathering.” Several thousands stayed on to protest after the announcement, chanting “resistance” and a small group clashed with police, tossing bottles and rocks, leading to around 300 arrests.
Protesters waved German flags and shouted “Merkel will have to go!”, a cry used through the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party opposed to Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“STOP THE LIES”
Some three hundred more people demonstrated peacefully in Paris to denounce the government’s resolve to make the mask mandatory in all public places as the bodies in the French capital multiply.
France said Saturday that there had been 5,400 new coronaviruses in the last 24 hours, after more than 7,400 registered on Friday.
Saturday’s Berlin rally took a stand as coronavirus cases continue to increase in Germany, with a number of new infections reaching degrees that have not been noticed since April.
Anti-mask protesters participate in the Unite for Freedom protest outside Downing Street on August 29, 2020 in London.Source:Getty Images