[ad_1]
Tens of thousands of people protested yesterday in Leipzig against the corona measures. After the demo ended prematurely, there was a riot. Now there is massive criticism of politics, authorities and protesters.
Following the escalation of protests against Corona’s measures in Leipzig, criticism of the authorities, politics and protesters is strong. Federal Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht harshly condemned the riots and called for a “full investigation”. “What we saw yesterday in Leipzig cannot be justified by anything. The freedom to demonstrate is not the freedom to use violence and put others at massive risk,” said the SPD politician. This situation in the midst of the pandemic should not be repeated.
Thousands together without masks are a peak of irresponsibility and selfishness, Lambrecht continues. “Every day people die from the coronavirus. Those who deny this danger oppose the vast majority of our society, which adheres to the rules to protect themselves and others.”
Maas: Incitement is not covered by the right to demonstrate
Federal Chancellor Heiko Maas also condemned the protesters’ behavior. “The Basic Law guarantees the right to demonstrate,” wrote the SPD politician on Twitter. “But anyone who, as in Leipzig, endangers other human beings, attacks policemen and journalists, spreads far-right agitation or sets fire to barricades during counter-demonstrations, leaves the realm of this fundamental right.”
Government spokesman Steffen Seibert criticized violations of official requirements during the demonstrations. Seibert said he did not want to comment on the situation during the previous day’s police operation in Leipzig. Basically, the requirements of the authorities must be met, he explained.
Habeck: protect the freedom of others
The FDP and the Greens in the Bundestag also called for the police operation to be prosecuted. The internal politics spokesman of the FDP parliamentary group, Konstantin Kuhle, criticized: “It cannot be that the rule of law is seeing journalists at work being attacked and most of the protesters clearly ignoring the conditions.” Freedom of assembly is an important basic right, but it is also subject to rules. “The police must be able to consistently end a gathering with sufficient forces at the scene if it gets out of control and the rules are not observed.”
Green Party leader Robert Habeck demanded that the events in Leipzig “urgently require critical clarification.” Freedom of assembly is a valuable asset, but the freedom of others and the functioning of the health system must also be protected. That is a difficult task for state authorities in the pandemic. “Obviously, the Ministry of the Interior and the Saxon police were not prepared for this task at the weekend and were therefore overwhelmed,” Habeck said.
Steinmeier: practical test for society
During a speech at the opening of the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed critics of the Corona measures and expressed concern about the increasing severity of the disputes.
“I am concerned that the conversation between opponents and supporters has become more difficult,” Steinmeier said. This crisis is “a test for our society, for our democracy.” “Will we get to stay together or will the divisions deepen?” Asked the federal president.
Tens of thousands of protesters without a gap
In Leipzig on Saturday, at least 20,000 people from across Germany protested against the federal government’s coronation measures. At first, the demonstration was largely peaceful. Later, the city of Leipzig dissolved the protest because many people did not cover their mouths and noses and did not keep the minimum distance. Police spokesman Olaf Hoppe said 90 percent of the participants did not wear mouth and nose protection. Thousands resisted dissolution and marched on the downtown ring.
In fact, the city had wanted to move the demonstration to the outskirts to protect against infection. The administrative court in Leipzig had confirmed this, the OVG decided differently: it allowed a rally with 16,000 participants. Elevators were not allowed.
