Around 1000 vehicles had been registered in several car parades, but ultimately the initiators were able to mobilize far fewer supporters for the trip to Leipzig. The police spoke of around 350 cars in which opponents of the corona measures from several cities in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt finally gathered in Leipzig.
Their protest against the corona policy of the federal and state governments also met well-organized counter-demonstrations, which an alliance of associations, initiatives, parties and unions had called for. Hundreds of demonstrators had set out on bicycles and motorcycles and positioned themselves along the parade routes under the motto “slow down lateral thinking”.
Cyclists block a street on the parade route in Leipzig
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According to their own information, the police were deployed with around 2,500 people in Leipzig alone – also so that the events of November did not repeat themselves. At that time, a demonstration by critics of the Corona measures got out of hand and caused a stir nationwide.
“Short has to go”
Opponents of the Corona measures took to the streets again in the Austrian capital Vienna on Saturday. Former Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl from the right-wing populist FPÖ gave a speech to the demonstrators who had initially gathered at Heldenplatz. Among other things, he spoke of “Corona steel helmets in government offices” and “dirty guys” in the ministries, reports the APA news agency.
Demonstration in Vienna
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FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz accused Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) at the rally of ruining the country “with his henchmen”. “Let’s go into this peaceful struggle to achieve our common goal, which is: We have to leave for a minute,” Schnedlitz shouted to the demonstrators. According to the APA, the slogan “Short has to go” could also be read on the banners of demonstrators.
“Stop Dictatorship”
In Switzerland, more than 4,000 demonstrators marched through the city of Chur in silence on Saturday to protest against the Corona requirements. Some of the people held up protest posters saying “Stop dictatorship” or “Stay away from our children”.
The Chur city police had approved the demonstration, initiated by the “Silent Protest” association, subject to certain conditions. At the rally, among others, the politician Ruedi Weber from the right-wing populist SVP spoke.
“For Freedom and Truth”
In the Swedish capital Stockholm, the police tried to break up an unauthorized demonstration by several hundred people. The officers encountered strong resistance. Six police officers were injured in riots, it said. Two people were arrested.
Gatherings of more than eight people are not allowed in Sweden. The motto of the protest was “For Freedom and Truth”. It was organized by a group that described corona restrictions as unfounded.
Sweden had taken a special route in the Corona crisis with comparatively permissive measures. Sweden is now much more affected than its Scandinavian neighbors.
rb / ust (afp, dpa)
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