Resistance – large-scale crown skeptics: up to 3,000 people demonstrate in Wohlen against federal measures

Image of the protest march of the association “Silent Protest” against Corona measures on February 20, 2021 in Wohlen.

Andre Albrecht

Spring sunshine, crowds, and a cold beer – it was some kind of music festival. If it weren’t for Corona. For the fifth time, the “Silent Protest” association called for resistance to the requirements for masks, store closures and mandatory vaccinations. After Zurich, St. Gallen, Zug and Aarau, this time the demonstration took place in Wohlen.

“We are absolutely overwhelmed that so many of you have found your way to us,” the president of the association called into the microphone, who does not want to see her name in the media. In fact, many more people responded to the association’s call than expected. Organizers expected up to 1,000 protesters. According to the organizers, between 2,500 and 3,000 people attended, significantly exceeding the number of participants in the club’s last protest march on February 6 in Zug. At that time around 800 people participated.

One and a half hour rally

The fans gathered at 1pm in the Wohler Merkur area, right next to the Chappelehof. The protest march for Wohlen started at 2 pm It continued along Bünzstrasse to the train station and then returned to the Merkur area via Zentralstrasse, where an hour and a half rally followed.

Among the speakers were well-known figures of the crown skeptics. For example, Thomas Brändle, former Grand Councilor and master baker from Zug, who advised “SME suicide” in view of federal measures. Or Patrick Jetzer, who wants to found an alternative industry association. In her speech, the President herself focused on the negative impact of the measures on children.

Here’s the president’s speech on the video:

Health representatives also spoke. A face of Wohler also took the podium: the cantonal school teacher Markus Häni. He knew he was risking his job with his performance, but he had to do it now, he said in front of the cheering crowd.

Like a prayer wheel, the organizers asked the participants to fulfill the mask requirement, not without irony and followed by laughter from the ranks. An estimated two-thirds of the protesters did not wear a mask. The Wohlen regional police present, supported by colleagues from the cantonal police, did not intervene. At 4:30 pm the demonstration ended and the crowd was slowly dispersing.

Despite the masked sinners and significantly more protesters than originally approved, the cantonal police came to a positive conclusion: “The whole demonstration was very calm and civilized,” says Aline Rey, Kapo media spokesperson, when asked. Neither the Repol nor the canton police had to intervene. A participant control was waived because the effort would have been disproportionately high.

The next manifestation of the Silent Protest Association is scheduled for March 6. The location is not yet known.

What motivated people to demonstrate against the crown measures in Wohlen?

“I don’t want our children to have to suffer from depression, wear masks and have to have massive exams. That is out of the question for me, ”says one protester.

“He came here to support the people who are participating,” says a young woman. I wanted people to regain a little more freedom and to be able to “throw the mask away once and for all.”

Peaceful mood

The participants in the demonstration pass through Wohlen and express their dissatisfaction mainly with posters and banners. But they remain at peace, as a video shows.

Be obedient, says a voice through a speaker. Even a simple “mask requirement” is noticeable. Hundreds of people walk behind in white protective suits. They carry signs that denounce slogans such as “unnecessary dialogue”, “avoid closeness forever” or “sing kills.”