Protests in 2020: From BLM to pro-democracy movement, biggest demonstrations of the year

2020 has witnessed several widespre protests despite isolation and social-distancing rules at forefront of fighting ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many places saw demonstrators defy all health protocols and take to streets in order to protest over a range of issues, including abortion, racism, pro-democracy, among ors. Protests in some places also occurred over restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

Black Lives Matter movement

United States witnessed a series of protests across country that lasted for months after a Black man named George Floyd was brutally murdered by a Caucasian police officer in Minneapolis in May. Several thousand people took to streets to protest against police brutality in United States that later turned into a civil movement demanding police reforms and end of systemic racism. protest spre across country and turned violent in some places with demonstrators regularly clashing with law enforcement ncies. 

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Pro-choice protests in Poland

Thousands took to streets in Poland last month over a controversial court ruling that banned abortion of fetuses even with congenital defects and with chance of surviving. Protesters, who claimed to be vocating for women's rights, defied ban on large garings imposed due to COVID-19 concerns as y took to streets across country demanding government change. Poland Constitutional Tribunal, country's highest court, on October 22 ruled that existing law allowing women to abort congenital fetuses was unconstitutional. 

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Pro-democracy movement

In Hong Kong and Thailand, people took to streets demanding democratic freedoms and rights enjoyed in free nations all over world. Hong Kong protests, which began in 2019 and continued into 2020, were against certain laws that China forcefully tried or succeeded in implementing in former British colony. Lakhs of people defied COVID-19 restrictions this year and poured all over to demand withdrawal of controversial National Security Law imposed by Beijing, which critics argue curbs remaining freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kongers. 

Meanwhile, in Thailand people are protesting against monarch and junta government that came into power in 2014. people of Thailand believe that monarch enjoys a lot of power and are demanding it to be cut short. y are also calling for free elections in country and change in government. 

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Belarus protests

After a controversial election earlier this year, people of Belarus took to streets to protest against government of Alexander Lukashenko, who has been sworn-in for a record sixth term amid allegations of rigged polls. 65-year-old former Soviet Army member allegedly secured over 80 percent of total votes polled, but opposition claims that election was rigged in favour of Lukashenko. According to reports, more than 1,00,000 protesters marched in capital Minsk demanding resignation of what some say is last remaining dictator in Europe. 

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Protests against COVID restrictions

Several thousand demonstrators took to streets in Europe and United States earlier this year to protest against COVID-19 restrictions. Protests took place in Berlin, London, Paris, Rome, and in some parts of US, where people demanding ease in restrictions took to streets defying all health and safety protocols. 

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