TENS OF THOUSANDS PROTEST PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS IN BERLIN By Ka e Fisher
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n estimated 38,000 protestors took the streets in Berlin on the last Saturday of August in opposi on to German restric ons to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Police made around 200 arrests during the two rallies, which took place near federal government buildings. While the protest was mostly peaceful, violence occurred as police forces clashed with about 3000 far-right ac vists. Law enforcement also had to forcibly remove protesters from restricted areas at the Reichstag building as they reportedly tried to storm the Parliament. On Twi er, the police force stated that several people had entered the staircase of the Reichstag but did not manage to gain access to the building. Demonstrators marched through the German capital with signs reading 'End the coronavirus dictatorship' and 'Stop the coronavirus madness'; Some also waved far-right banners. Protesters could be heard chan ng, "Angela Merkel must go" during the heated picket. Police broke up the march near the Brandenburg Gate a er marchers breached coronavirus guidelines, refusing to wear masks or respect social-distancing regulations. Berlin police took to Twitter to announce the decision to break up the protest, stating: "Unfortunately, we have no other option. We've approached the leader of the demonstra on and informed him that his assembly will be dissolved by the police. All the measures taken so far have not led to compliance with the 44 europeanbusinessmagazine.com
condi ons." The news sparked confronta ons with some demonstrators tossing bo les at police, according to the DPA. One hundred arrests were made. The larger rally, taking place nearby, was not disbanded in accordance with a local court ruling, which declined to prohibit it. Earlier in the week, city authori es had tried to stop the march from taking place. Due to the fear that all safety measures would be breached in such an environment, Berlin announced a ban on mass protests. This came a er a previous demonstra on by the same organisers did not comply with safety precau ons when rallying at the beginning of August. The ban ini ally sparked outrage from organisers Querdenken 711, a Stu gart-based movement with more than 16,000 followers on Facebook. They pledged to protest despite the ban, with some supporters even calling for violence. One leading rightwing organiser called for protesters to "storm Berlin". However, a German regional court rejected the city's concerns about security and social distancing. On Friday, judges permitted the mass demonstra on in Berlin, overturning the capital's ban. This came with strict instruc on to abide by health and safety rules, including barriers in front of the stages where speeches will be held and reminding par cipants to socially distance. The judge's guidelines for the protest did not include wearing masks. Leaders of the ini a ve celebrated the court's decision. Michael Ballweg of the Querdenken 711 said "This is a success for our basic rights" in a YouTube video. He urged supporters to
come together for a peaceful protest, sta ng that "those who call for violence are not with us." Some amongst the many, varied groups that participated in Saturday's rallies called for the resigna on of Chancellor Angela Merkel's government. One of Berlin's top police officials, Andreas Geisel, described the protesters as a vast-ranging group of people with one uniting similar interest. The group included libertarians, far-right extremists, an -vaccine
