Passau, Landshut, Straubing, Deggendorf, Vilshofen, Eggenfelden: In Lower Bavaria, the vaccination rate is low and the burden on the hospitals is high – and there are also extensive demonstrations against the corona measures, especially at the beginning of the week. “Monday turned out to be the central demo day,” says Christian Obermeier, spokesman for the police headquarters in Lower Bavaria. Last Monday alone, 30 meetings and so-called walks took place throughout Lower Bavaria, from a single-digit number of participants to 1,500 demonstrators in Landshut.
When it comes to registration, there is also uncontrolled growth. The 1500 people in Landshut came together without the demo having been registered beforehand. 1000 people demonstrated in Vilshofen, this time with a leader who had duly reported the demo.
In general, the situation is now quite confusing. In four cities – Landshut, Passau, Deggendorf and Straubing – there are general ordinances issued by the cities that prohibit “non-stationary public meetings”, i.e. the so-called walks. In Passau, for example, they were forced to take this step because the demo was no longer manageable. Several smaller groups often spread out across the entire urban area. The demonstrators then ran around without a mask, but at an insufficient distance, partially obstructing traffic.
However, the police must first find out about the unreported meetings. “We now know quite well where and when meetings are to be expected,” says Obermeier. Often there are also tips from the population and of course you keep an eye on social media.
The calls for more bans like in Landshut and Passau are getting louder. For example in Regensburg. Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer (SPD) indicated in a press release that she was concerned about the walks. But she also explained that there was no legal basis for a ban. At least not at the moment. However, this could change if the incidence continues to rise. In addition, according to the police, there are hardly any violations of the law during the demos.
This is also the case at the police headquarters in Lower Bavaria. As long as the demo participants stick to the rules, which is largely the case, they are allowed to do so. And the many unannounced meetings? “The Assembly Act gives us room for manoeuvre,” says Obermeier. “It is at the discretion of the respective police leaders when it is necessary to step in and break up a meeting.” You can’t react in general, it’s always a matter of consideration. Finally, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression must also be protected.