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More than 1,000 critics of the federal government’s Covid-19 measures gathered in the late afternoon at Helvetiaplatz for a rally.
Demonstration without masks: participants in the rally at Zurich’s Helvetiaplatz.
Image: Samuel Schalch
A demonstration against Covid protection measures took place in Zurich on Saturday. Despite a counter-demonstration and the withdrawal of some participants by the police, the demonstration was peaceful.
Under the slogan “Return to Freedom”, the organizers called a demonstration against the requirement to wear a mask, a supposedly imminent mandatory vaccination and the application of the emergency law in relation to the Covid 19 pandemic.
During the demonstration there were personal checks and evictions.
The atmosphere at Helvetiaplatz, which police said was packed with more than 1,000 people, was peaceful, despite a counter-demonstration of around 100 people on the opposite side of the street.
Mask requirement not observed
The rally was approved by the city, but subject to conditions. The police repeatedly asked the participants to comply with the mask requirement. The call was largely ignored.
Later, the police began with identity checks and evictions. By the end of the event, 50 people had been checked and turned away, Zurich city police said. Two men were temporarily transferred to a police station.
In addition, the police are investigating a notification from the organizer because it did not comply with the authorization requirements for the rally.
With the Swiss cross at the Corona rally: Protesters arrive in District 4 in Zurich.
Several speakers criticized the way politicians and authorities deal with Covid-19 in Switzerland. Protection measures, such as the requirement for a mask, are excessive and sometimes counterproductive. The application of the emergency law has stripped people of their rights and freedoms.
Illegal demonstration resolved in advance
Already in the early afternoon there was a rally against Covid protection measures at Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich. Unlike the rally at Helvetiaplatz, this was not approved.
The Zurich city police asked people to leave the scene, as announced. Some groups of people followed the request. Police said around 40 people were checked and turned away.
Four people were temporarily detained and taken to a police station. According to the police, a vehicle with an amplifier system and speakers was temporarily secured in the trunk.
