Hundreds of opponents of pandemic restrictions took part in several demonstrations and gatherings in Berlin on Saturday, some of which were illegal. Many counter-demonstrators also took to the streets.
Attack on journalist
According to information released on Sunday, around 650 police officers were deployed to take part in the action. The illegal protests against the restrictions introduced in Germany in connection with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic were concentrated in the districts of Mitte and Friedrichshain.
Various groups moved in the area between Alexanderstraße, Holzmarktstraße and Strausberger Platz, including an unregistered march of 200 people.
A journalist filming the protests with a smartphone was reportedly attacked by one of the participants, who snatched the phone from his hand. The alleged perpetrator was charged with attempted robbery.
A police spokeswoman reporting on the events in Berlin on Sunday neither confirmed nor denied media reports of other attacks on journalists.
On Friday, Berlin authorities banned a demonstration by anti-vaccinationists and coronasceptics that was expected to be attended by 1,000 people
On Saturday at noon, a column of 80 cars with more than 170 opponents of pandemic restrictions set off from Friedrichsfelde. This demonstration had been previously reported.
Eleven men and three women were arrested for, among other things, forcing priority and bodily harm.
A demonstration by anti-vaccinationists and coronasceptics with 1,000 people announced for Saturday was banned on Friday. The reason was bad past experiences with violations of existing pandemic restrictions.
Source: www.bz-berlin.de