IN PICTURES: Police in Berlin halt anti-coronavirus protest
Police in Berlin have called off an 18,000-strong protest against coronavirus restrictions, saying protesters had not worn masks, as required by a court.
"Unfortunately, we have no other option," Berlin police wrote on Twitter. "We've approached the leader of the demonstration 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 conditions."
Es bleibt uns leider keine andere Möglichkeit: Wir sind an den Versammlungsleiter der Demo herangetreten und haben ihm mitgeteilt, dass seine Versammlung polizeilich aufgelöst wird. Alle bisherigen Maßnahmen haben nicht zu einem Einhalten der Auflagen geführt. #b2908
— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) August 29, 2020
#VIDEO Berlin police said they will turn out in force and strictly monitor compliance with mask-wearing and social distancing, with police warning that if the demonstrators do not adhere to virus safety rules, officers will clear the area "very quickly"https://t.co/qf6h7GOoE6 pic.twitter.com/4DWH9D59fL
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 29, 2020
By 3pm, many of the protesters had sat down at the junction of Friedrichstrasse and Torstrasse, with police slowly removing them by force.
Photo: Bernd Von Jutrczenka / dpa
The crowd gathered in the morning at Brandenburg Gate on Saturday morning, with demonstrators shouting "Open the gate" and "We are the people," chants taken from those of the pro-democracy movement in former East Germany.
The protest was called by Querdenken 711 (Lateral Thinking 711), a Stuttgart-based libertarian group founded by the software entrepreneur Michael Ballweg, which has some 16,000 followers on Facebook. But far-right groups and those against vaccination have also got involved.
Robert F Kennedy Jr, the nephew of assassinated US president John F Kennedy and a prominent anti-vaxxer was set to speak at the event.
Protesters at the Brandenburg gate brandishing signs declaring German politicians 'guilty'. Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
A large procession began making its way down the Friedrichstrasse shopping street. Photo: Paul Zinken/dpa
Some protesters held signs asking people to question the need to anti-infection measures, calling for people to have a more open mind. Here protester hold signs saying "question your fear".
Photo: AFP
The demonstration brought together a disparate mix of the far-right, the far-left, opponents of vaccination, and in many areas had a celebratory party atmosphere, with drums, chanting and cheering.
Mainstream media, what is happening in #Berlin (Germany)?#Berlin2908pic.twitter.com/ewc1glsTKK
— Oh boy what a shot (@ohboywhatashot) August 29, 2020
Counter-protesters came out around Humbolt University, chanting "You're marching alongside Nazis".
One of several counter demos against the coronavirus skeptic protest in Berlin. #B2908
"You’re marching alongside Nazis," counter protesters chant. The motto is #AbstandhaltengegenRechts (Keep distance from the far-right) pic.twitter.com/t09eNjYfqy
— Kate Brady (@kbrady90) August 29, 2020
Others held signs saying "Stop the corona-deniers".
Photo: John Macdougall/AFP
"Even Patrick know that Nazis are shit," reads this counter-protester's banner.
Photo: John Macdougall/AFP
Most of those protesting against coronavirus curbs refused to wear masks or keep their distance.
Photo: John Macdougall/AFP
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"Unfortunately, we have no other option," Berlin police wrote on Twitter. "We've approached the leader of the demonstration 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 conditions."
Es bleibt uns leider keine andere Möglichkeit: Wir sind an den Versammlungsleiter der Demo herangetreten und haben ihm mitgeteilt, dass seine Versammlung polizeilich aufgelöst wird. Alle bisherigen Maßnahmen haben nicht zu einem Einhalten der Auflagen geführt. #b2908
— Polizei Berlin Einsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) August 29, 2020
#VIDEO Berlin police said they will turn out in force and strictly monitor compliance with mask-wearing and social distancing, with police warning that if the demonstrators do not adhere to virus safety rules, officers will clear the area "very quickly"https://t.co/qf6h7GOoE6 pic.twitter.com/4DWH9D59fL
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 29, 2020
The demonstration brought together a disparate mix of the far-right, the far-left, opponents of vaccination, and in many areas had a celebratory party atmosphere, with drums, chanting and cheering.
Mainstream media, what is happening in #Berlin (Germany)?#Berlin2908pic.twitter.com/ewc1glsTKK
— Oh boy what a shot (@ohboywhatashot) August 29, 2020
One of several counter demos against the coronavirus skeptic protest in Berlin. #B2908
— Kate Brady (@kbrady90) August 29, 2020
"You’re marching alongside Nazis," counter protesters chant. The motto is #AbstandhaltengegenRechts (Keep distance from the far-right) pic.twitter.com/t09eNjYfqy
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