More than 20,000 people protest against coronavirus restrictions in Germany

More than 20,000 people rallied against Germany's coronavirus restrictions in the city of Kassel during which clashes broke out between police and participants. Protesters on Saturday ignored the city's court-approved limit of 6,000 participants, with almost all of them also refusing to wear a face mask, dpa news agency reported. A court had only allowed a rally at a location outside the city centre, a ruling which the protesters also flouted. The crowd had gathered in the city centre for an unauthorised rally, the police said, adding the violence erupted after protesters ignored instructions from officers and broke through police barriers. Officers used pepper spray and batons against the participants. Police said several people were taken into custody, but did not give an exact number. Many who turned out in Kassel were supporters of the so-called Querdenken (Lateral Thinking) movement, comprising Covid-19 deniers, right-wing activists and anti-vaccination campaigners. (IANS)

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