Denmark: anti-vaccines parade against “passport …

Hundreds of people marched this Sunday in Copenhagen against measures imposed by the Danish government to combat the coronavirus. The trigger for concentration, participants explained, was “crown passport” that the executive has announced that it will deliver to those who are vaccinated and that both to be able to travel and to attend sports and cultural activities in the country.

Led by the “Men in Black Denmark”, an active Facebook group with undefined affiliation – albeit with a strong radical anti-vaccine groups, pandemic deniers and far-right sectors– the demonstrators gathered in front of the Parliament to defend the “freedom of choice”.

On this occasion, in addition to denouncing the “coercion” that they say they suffer from the “dictatorship” of the partial confinement in force in Denmark, due to the pandemic, the demonstration was organized to demonstrate their rejection of the electronic certificate of vaccination against covid-19 that the government will issue to those who are immunized, called “passport-crown”.

This document, currently in preparation, will be used for travel and, in the long term, also to access sporting events, cultural events and restaurants. Confronted with this, “Men in black” they argue that the creation of the certificate ends up making the vaccine compulsory and that this would represent a limitation on their individual freedoms.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Morten Bødskov announced at a press conference the creation of the certificate and explained that “it will be an additional passport that you can have on your mobile phone that will prove that you have been vaccinated. . That as a country we take advantage of the digital advantages that we have. We can be the first in the world to do so. “

When the digital solution is ready, Bødskov said, how to use the passport should be discussed, which will also depend on the epidemiological situation in the country. “Thanks to the digital advancements available, we can enable travel and participation in cultural life in Denmark. We will enjoy the passport for many yearsSaid another official, Lars Sandahl Sørensen, in a similar vein.

So far, this Sunday’s concentration has gone smoothly. Two weeks ago, instead, In a similar protest, protesters burned a doll bearing the features of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, episode which ended with two detainees accused of threatening the Prime Minister.

In Denmark, at least until February 28, non-essential shops, bars and restaurants are closed.