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Sweden urges its demonstrating citizens to take it on internet rather than coming out on streets

Sweden urges its demonstrating citizens to take it on internet rather than coming out on streets

Sweden

The Swedish government on Thursday urged its citizens protesting on the streets to take it out on the internet rather than stepping out and violating coronavirus restrictions.

On Wednesday, demonstrators with signs like "Black Lives Matter" gathered at a Stockholm square for several hours to protest against racism and American police force for the murder of George Floyd.

COVID-hit Sweden has banned public gatherings of more than 50 people. Despite overcoming the peak in April, health resources in the country are still strained.

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Sweden's Home Affairs Minister Mikael Damberg said that demonstration is a democratic right of the citizens but due to the pandemic, guidelines set by health agency must be respected. In a letter written to Reuters, he said: "I would urge anyone who wants to protest against racism to use digital media instead. Otherwise, many people risk getting sick and dying."

Sweden has seen over 4,500 casualties due to the coronavirus pandemic which is way more than any neighbouring Nordic countries.

The protests intensified in the United States, which are held over the killing of a black man by a cop who held him on the ground with his knee on the handcuffed man.

There were clashes between police and protesters, arson, looting, and firing of tear gas.