Unbelievably, footage of German police using tear gas against protesters following a demonstration against Covid passports has been released.
Yesterday, 1,000 protestors marched in Leipzig’s eastern part. 24 arrests were made.
More than 3,000 Coronavirus-denialists had pledged to participate in the rally. This was before authorities set a maximum of 1000 people.
However, by the morning this number was already reached and the police were unable to manage the large crowds at the centre of the city.
Video shows how the peaceful protest became increasingly tense and angry with shouts of the crowd.
After thousands of Covid sceptics held a Leipzig rally, police clashed with protesters
Despite a limit of 1,000 protestors being allowed, the police were unable to enforce order within the city.
All of a sudden, the scene in Grimmaische Straße descends into chaos – with several pushes and shoves before police and protesters begin jostling against each other.
The protesters are heard screaming and police begin to spray tear gas in the crowd.
An officer pushes one man as he stumbles disorientated from spray.
A woman wearing a bicyle and crying out of pain is seen elsewhere after she was caught between several spray volleys.
According to German news site DW, police claimed that the suspects were carrying prohibited objects.
Saxony, which angered some protestors, will become the first federal country in the country to apply the ‘2G’ rule starting Monday.
Germans must have a valid 2G vaccination against Covid.
Saxony has currently the highest Covid rate at 415.8 per 100,000. It also has the lowest vaccination takeup, with only 57% of the population fully inoculated, compared with 66% nationally according to Robert Koch Institute of Infectious Diseases.
Stephan Kramer was the director of Thuringia’s domestic intelligence agency. This warned against rising extremism among anti-Covid campaigners.
According to Mr Kramer, “The fourth wave”, the debate about booster vaccinations and tightening coronavirus regulations such as the extension or waiver of proof of vaccination, can give rise to an additional impetus,” Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland’s news group.
“We are being subject to online bullying, insults as well as physical and verbal attacks throughout the country.
Protesters wearing banners and criticizing Germany’s position on Covid passports continued to rally until the late evening.
The protest was described as relatively peaceful until a disorder broke out in Grimmaische Straße in the city centre
Leipzig was halted yesterday following the arrest of 1,000 protestors.
Video footage showing the disorder elicited strong reaction when shared online.
Jennifer Hies posted on Twitter, “I lived in Leipzig for 2 years. They are literally standing in front of one of the buildings that was destroyed during Kristallnacht and a block away from the St. Nicholai church where the people’s movement against the communist regime began. History repeats itself repeatedly.
Jules Lancashire, an Elsewhere blogger, tweeted “Oh my goodness.” My eldest son was in Erasmus this summer. A very educational free walking tour was offered to me. I expressed gratitude for not having seen what East Germans did and will do. I’m very sad to say that now I know I was mistaken.’