Riots and 500 detainees in Germany after protests against restrictions imposed by pandemic

Despite an express ban by the police, thousands of people participated this Sunday in Berlin in a expression against the restrictions implemented by the german government because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The mobilization included clashes between the security guards and protesters and concluded with about half a thousand arrests, reported PA.

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German authorities banned several protests over the weekend, including one by Querdenker movement, one of the largest and most visible fights against containment measures nationwide and based in Stuttgart.

However, protesters defied the ban and rallied in Berlin.

The German capital police department deployed to more than 2000 agents to try to disperse the demonstrators.

In an official report, the force claimed that police officers who sought to redirect or disperse larger groups of protesters were “harassed and attacked”.

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“They tried to break the police cordon,” the report warned. The police, according to the report, had to use irritants and batons.

The riots occurred after columns of protesters advanced from the Charlottenburg district and Tiergarten park towards the Brandenburg Gate. Then the police warned over loudspeakers that he would use water cannons to disperse them if the demonstrators continue the demonstration,

The followers of the Querdenker movement and those who oppose vacciness both on the German right and on the left. Also present are those who do not believe in the coronavirus, conspiracy theorists and right-wing extremists.

The police, quoted by the local press, finally announced the arrest of 500 people while other thousands continued to mobilize through the German capital.

What about the pandemic

Last May, Germany removed many restrictions put in place to stop the spread of Covid infections. In this way, they came back to bars and restaurants are reopening.

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However, many activities such as eating inside restaurants or staying in a hotel required people to show proof of vaccination, having recovered from the virus or a recent negative test for Covid-19.

The pandemic has been milder in Germany than in other European countries. However, the Delta variant has stimulated infections in recent weeks.

This strain originating in India is considered to be much more contagious.

This Sunday, the country reported 2,097 new cases, an increase of more than 500 infections compared to the same day last week.