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After a legal dispute, a “lateral thinking” demonstration against the crown measures has started in the center of Leipzig. Very few of the several thousand participants wore a mask or could maintain the minimum distance of one and a half meters. The space between the Gewandhaus and the Leipzig Opera was already packed at noon. “Control is almost impossible for us,” said Leipzig Police Department spokesman Olaf Hoppe.
The Bautzen Higher Administrative Court (OVG) had previously decided that a demonstration with 16,000 people could take place on Augustusplatz. Thus, the OVG annulled the decision of the administrative court, which had initially confirmed the conditions of the city on Friday night. The city wanted to move the rally to the parking lot of the Nueva Feria, about nine kilometers from the center.
Police expect “very heavy use”
“It is difficult to explain that currently only two houses are allowed to gather, but 16,000 people can demonstrate in one place,” said Leipzig city spokesman Matthias Hasberg. If you keep the prescribed distances of 1.50 meters, you will get a maximum of 5000 people for Augustusplatz. According to the city, the Superior Administrative Court wants to present a reason for the decision in the coming days.
According to his own statements, the police are preparing for a “very intensive operation, because a certain potential for radicalization is perceived on all sides.” The Leipzig police are supported by the Saxon riot police, the emergency services of eight federal states as well as the federal police and the state criminal investigation office.
Police face an “extremely great challenge,” said police spokesman Hoppe. “We will have to decide on the ground how to deal with that.” He stressed that the right of assembly was placed above the Crown Protection Ordinance.
Around 200 people had already gathered in Leipzig’s market square on Friday night. According to the police, they registered a spontaneous demonstration in which they protested against the state’s crown measures. Many participants did not wear masks and did not maintain the minimum distance.
A police spokesman said video recordings had been made and a complaint was being filed against the leader of the meeting. According to the police, around 100 people gathered for a counter-protest within earshot. Emergency services were already in town with a large contingent on Friday night.
