Germany: Activists stage protests against COVID-19 curbs, social distancing rules

Despite huge number of coronavirus cases, a large crowd of nearly 17,000 people took to streets of Berlin to protest against social distancing measures and or restrictions imposed in Germany to combat spre of COVID-19.

Reportedly, thousands of demonstrators, mostly unmasked, gared at Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate on August 1 and rallied against social distancing rules, stating that y violated people’s rights. demonstration what organisers termed “ end of pandemic,” comes on heels of an upturn in coronavirus cases.

Raising banners like, ‘I want my life back’, ‘Day of Freedom -- End of Pandemic’, ‘Do think! Don’t wear a mask,’ activists std protest against measures imposed by government. local police reported a garing of nearly 17,000 people which included anti-vaccination activists, libertarians, and constitutional loyalists. Reportedly, protest also saw a few far-right and neo-Nazi groups with some demonstrators carrying Germany’s black, white and red imperial flag.

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Protesters sing 'We Will Rock You'

Expressing ir unhappiness, some marchers sang and danced to Queen’s popular track “We Will Rock You” by changing lyrics to ‘We are free people.’ Police n broke up protest, stating organisers were unable to ensure that health guidelines were being followed. Police also filed a criminal complaint against one of organisers of march for t following health regulations.

"Our colleagues are using loud speakers to urge herence to rules. We are also documenting n-compliance for possible later prosecution," Berlin police tweeted. Many politicians called out protesters, with Social Democrat co-leer Saskia Esken, condemning protest for putting everyone's lives at risk and called marchers “covidiots”. Health Minister Jens Spahn also criticised protestors, and tweeted, “Yes, demonstrations should be allowed even amid pandemic. But t like this.”

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(Im credit: AP/Representative im)