Saxony’s Minister of Health Petra Köpping (SPD) has condemned the appearance of opponents of the Corona policy in front of her house with sharp words. “Objective criticism of the Corona measures is completely legitimate. I am always ready to talk. But torch-lit protests in front of my house are disgusting and indecent,” she explains in a written statement that she sent on Saturday morning. “I know that these are not protests, but organized attempts to intimidate right-wing extremists.” You will not allow yourself to be intimidated by the constant rabble and attacks, because the fight against the corona pandemic, which is currently necessary, is about human lives, “Köpping continues.
About 30 people had gathered in front of Köpping’s house in Grimma on Friday evening, as a police spokeswoman announced on Saturday morning. According to her, they stood shouting with torches and posters in front of the house.
The police established the identities of 25 people
A video of the march is circulating on Twitter, in which the lettering of the right-wing splinter party “Free Saxony” is displayed; it was distributed by the party’s account. The Saxon State Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the party as a proven right-wing extremist endeavor. A spokeswoman for the police said on request on Saturday morning that the participants in the demonstration could not yet be “clearly assigned”.
When the police arrived, the people fled in several vehicles, the spokeswoman said. 15 cars were stopped by the police and the identities of 25 people were established. The police have reported the violation of the Assembly Act and are investigating violations of the Corona Ordinance. Due to the dramatic pandemic situation, according to the Saxon Corona Emergency Ordinance, only gatherings with a maximum of ten people are currently allowed in the state – and only at a fixed location.
Solidarity with Köpping also from the federal party chairmen
The SPD Saxony and the SPD federal chairwoman Saskia Esken condemned the action in front of Köpping’s house and expressed their solidarity with the minister. Esken wrote on Twitter: “Even if the few Hansel try to spread fear and terror: the rational and willing to take responsibility are the great majority, and they are by your side!”
Esken’s co-chairman Walter-Borjans tweeted on Saturday morning: “What happened yesterday in front of Petra Koepping’s house has nothing to do with worry and the urge for freedom. It is fascistoid in style and appearance.” He went on to write: “Now at the latest, everyone on whose behalf this mob claims to act must clearly demarcate themselves from those who are shaking the very foundations of our democracy. It has long ceased to be the beginnings that we have to fight back.” In a tweet from the Saxon SPD it was said: “We show full solidarity with Koepping! Such pictures and deeds must not exist!”
On Friday evening there were protests against the current Corona course in several Saxon locations. A demonstration against the corona measures is expected in front of the state parliament on Monday. The police announced a “harder pace”. Most recently, it came under criticism because marches by corona deniers could take place almost unmolested despite the police presence.
The state parliament wants to decide on Monday on the determination of the epidemic situation in the Free State. With this, the government wants to achieve legal certainty for the continuation of existing protective measures and their possible expansion. The current emergency ordinance applies until December 12th. It already prescribes stronger restrictions than in many other federal states. Saxony was hit particularly hard by the fourth wave of the pandemic.