German police clash with angry protesters

In Germany, people in large number protest the government's plan to enforce restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Protesters near Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate threw bottles at police and set off smoke bombs, witnesses reported. Riot police detained some protesters while firing volleys of water and urging crowds by loudspeaker to disperse. German police unleashed water cannon on Wednesday in an effort to scatter thousands of protesters angry.

Demonstrators were fuming about legislation due to be passed by parliament that could allow the federal government to impose curbs on social contact, rules on mask-wearing, drinking alcohol in public, shutting shops and stopping sports events.Although most Germans accept the latest “lockdown light” to tackle a second wave of the coronavirus, critics say the law gives the national government too much power and endangers citizens’ civil rights without the approval of parliament. Until now, only a few measures have been mandatory and most have been only enforceable at a state or local level. In addition, several restrictions have been overturned by courts.

Protesters were neither keeping the required social distance nor wearing face masks. Some held banners with slogans such as “For Enlightenment. Peace and Freedom” and “Stop the corona pandemic lie”. Many people were waving the German flag. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has even compared the move to enhance the powers of Merkel’s government with the 1933 Enabling Act that paved the way to Hitler’s Nazi dictatorship.