Corona policy
Demo in Leipzig against corona measures – elevator prevented
Participants in a rally by critics of the corona measures on Augustusplatz in Leipzig. Photo: Sebastian Willnow / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
A year ago, a “lateral thinker” demonstration in Leipzig got out of hand. Now there were protests again. The police want to prevent an elevator over a historic ring.
A year after an escalated demonstration by the “lateral thinker” scene in Leipzig, several thousand people have gathered in the city to protest against Corona measures.
“Our absolute goal is that there is no elevator,” said police spokesman Olaf Hoppe. The police were on site with numerous forces and three water cannon squadrons. Support also came from other federal states.
Tense mood
National mobilization had been carried out for the demonstration. Observers spoke of a tense mood. As they did a year ago, participants tried to force them to walk across the historic ring. “Run, run,” they called on the way from Augustusplatz to the train station. Several participants had candles in their hands. However, the police blocked the street and were booed by the demonstrators.
On the fringes of the protests, 24 people from the right-wing scene were arrested. The police informed the police in the afternoon that they had been carrying prohibited items with them and were taken into custody. “You cannot take part in any more events today.”
The “Movement Leipzig” had called for a demonstration for freedom and against the Corona measures. Originally it was registered for 3,000 participants, including a train across the Leipziger Ring. Due to the aggravated corona situation in Saxony, only stationary rallies with a maximum of 1000 participants are permitted. The meeting place was cordoned off in the early afternoon because this number had been reached. However, there were still many other followers outside. The police then tried to redirect more demonstrators to an alternative area. In addition, numerous people gathered for counter-protest in the city.
On November 7, 2020, there was a “lateral thinking” demonstration with at least 20,000 participants in Leipzig. Even then, a train across the Leipziger Ring was not permitted. However, after the rally was broken up for numerous violations of regulations, thousands forced people to walk across the ring. The ring was the site of the Monday demonstrations during the peaceful revolution in 1989, which led to the end of the GDR.