Germany: Police clash with protesters as thousands demonstrate against new amendment
'Merkel & Co = high treason'
Protesters carried placards that said, "Merkel & Co = high treason" as they sloganeered "Wir sind das Volk" ("We are the people"), which was used in the run-up when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.
150 people detained
Nearly 150 people were detained for hurling bottles, attacking officers and not following rules to avoid Covid-19, police said. Three officers were also injured.
Protesters dragged
News agency AFP reported that police fired tear gas as they attempted to drag protesters from the streets. Police were also seen using pepper spray on protesters, news agency Reuters reported.
What is the amendment?
Regarded as "emergency brake", the law allows the government to impose tough measures like sweeping shutdowns and overnight curfews in areas with incidence rates of over 100 new infections per 100,000 people in the last seven days.
Under the amendment, schools will also have to again resort to virtual teaching in regions where the incidence rate exceeds 165.
Dark memories of Nazis, communists (Image for Representation)
Several people in Germany are sensitive when it comes to curfews as was seen being imposed during the Nazis and the communist era in the country when the freedom of citizens was curtailed. (Image for Representation)
)
)
)
)
)