[ad_1]
German police have stopped a march of some 18,000 coronavirus skeptics in Berlin because many were not respecting social distancing measures.
The massive protest against the pandemic restrictions was allowed to continue after a bitter legal battle.
But she had only just started at the city’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, when she was forced to stop due to a police warrant.
“The minimal distancing is not being respected by the majority (of the protesters) despite repeated requests,” police said.
“There is no other option but to break up the meeting.”
Following the announcement, the protesters shouted “Resistance” and “We are the people”, a slogan often used by the far right, and chanted the German national anthem.
The police had promised to act forcefully and strictly monitor compliance with mask wear and social distancing at the protest.
Berlin Police Chief Barbara Slowik had warned that if the protesters did not comply with virus safety rules, the police would clear the area “very quickly”.
“We cannot and will not want to see tens of thousands come together and create infection risks,” he added.
Berlin city authorities had previously decided not to allow the demonstration to continue, fearing that the estimated 22,000 protesters would not stay within 1.5 meters or meet mask requirements.
The ban sparked outrage from organizers and their supporters, who inundated social media with angry messages promising to protest anyway, with some even calling for violence.
But on the eve of the event, the Berlin administrative court sided with the protesters, saying there was no indication that organizers would “deliberately ignore” social distancing rules and endanger public health.
A crowd, including people of all ages and families with children, had gathered this morning at the Brandenburg Gate, the starting point of the march.
Protesters waved German flags and shouted “Merkel must go!”, A chant often used by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party against Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Around 3,000 police officers, including 1,000 federal police officers, were scheduled to be deployed to the rally, along with specialized equipment, including a water cannon, Ms Slowik said.
The rebound came as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Germany, with daily new infection figures reaching highs not seen since April.
At a news conference on Friday, Merkel said that dealing with the virus will be more challenging in the coming fall and winter months.
Merkel and the leaders of Germany’s 16 federal states on Thursday introduced stricter coronavirus restrictions to curb the pandemic, including a minimum fine of 50 euros for people caught without wearing a mask when one is mandatory.
“We will have to live with this virus for a long time. It is still serious. Please continue to take it seriously,” he warned.
[ad_2]