Tens of thousands demonstrate in France against Corona rules, including thousands of demonstrators in Berlin abroad

The French health clearance indicates that someone has been fully vaccinated, tested negative or recently recovered from Covid-19, and was initially presented for larger events. It is now mandatory in public places almost everywhere in France.

Demonstrations against this measure have been taking place for weeks, mostly by anti-faxers. They believe that these people are almost obliged to vaccinate against the Corona virus.

On Saturday, the Ministry of the Interior counted 160,000 demonstrators in 222 demonstrations across France. In the capital, Paris, where four acts took place, 14,500 protesters stood on their feet. In addition, large protests were held in Montpellier (9500 people), Mulhouse (5000), Toulon, Annecy (both 4000), Marseille (3000) and Lyon (2500). In France, the police had to use tear gas in several cities, such as Paris and Toulouse. Three officers were slightly injured. At least sixteen people were arrested.

The number of protesters decreased for the third week in a row. Last Saturday, a total of 175,000 protesters took part.

Several thousand demonstrators gathered in Berlin on Saturday to protest the German government’s strategy to confront Corona, especially restrictions that apply to daily life, such as the obligation to wear mouth masks.

After authorities banned several planned individual gatherings, a large and scattered crowd gathered on Saturday, accompanied by police officers on foot, in trucks and even in a helicopter. 50 people were arrested.

The police were prepared for a much larger group, with about 2,000 officers on standby. In the end, according to the police, 4,000 people attended, while organizers were hoping for about 10,000 demonstrators to attend.

There was a brief skirmish as protesters attempted to break through a police siege on a bridge between the counties of Moabit and Tiergarten. They failed to do so.

Police have banned nine demonstrations, including those by a group of coronavirus skeptics, far-right activists and anti-vaccination activists. Four organizers challenged the police ban in court, only one of them succeeded, and was eventually allowed to hold a rally of 500 protesters on Saturday and Sunday.