Berlin, Jan. 23 (BNA): Thousands of people demonstrated in Germany on Saturday against regulations to contain the spread of the Corona virus and compulsory vaccinations, while smaller groups organized counter-demonstrations.
Police said more than 1,000 people protested peacefully in the western cities of Stuttgart and Offenbach.
In Stuttgart, protesters stopped in front of the Südwestrundfunk (SWR) public radio building to criticize the media’s coverage of the pandemic, German news agency dpa reported.
One witness said they repeated the calls of “Lügenpresse” (False Press) and “Wir sind das Volk” (We the people). Meanwhile, police asked participants to wear protective face masks.
Police said the Offenbach rally, which involved about 1,200 people, was initially peaceful. Meanwhile, 300 people gathered in a counter-demonstration.
Police said about 1,100 people attended a rally in the northern city of Schwerin. The officers intervened when one of the participants insulted the 30 participants who had taken part in a counter-demonstration. Officers filed a criminal complaint against the man for allegedly pushing a passerby as he was leaving the rally.
Meanwhile, police in Berlin are investigating the whereabouts of people opposing government health measures, after a suspected case of arson following a demonstration.
The altar burned at Paul Gerhard’s Church in the Mitte district on Thursday, sparking shock and outrage.
“Anyone who sets a place of worship on fire is attacking religious freedom and therefore the values of our Basic Law,” Representative Bettina Jarsh said on Saturday.
Initial investigations revealed that a witness had seen a man hastily leave the church shortly before, according to police.
The area witnessed protests against health regulations, but the police confirmed that there were no concrete indications that the rallies were linked to the fire.
A police spokesman said the police are investigating all possible avenues.
FKN