Protests in Berlin over Covid restrictions

Berlin, August 28

Thousands turned out in Berlin on Saturday to protest the government’s Covid measures, despite the ban on planned gatherings.The police banned nine planned demonstrations for Saturday, including one from the Stuttgart-based Querdenker movement, the most visible anti-lockdown movement in Germany.

A court ruled in favor of allowing one protest, planned for 500 people, on Saturday and Sunday. More than 2,000 police officers were stationed around the city to respond to those who showed up despite the ban. Meanwhile, a counter-protest called the “Love Train,” complete with techno music, drew a large crowd. These demonstrators support government restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, the British Government said it was preparing to vaccinate children aged 12-15 against the virus, even though the inoculation campaign has not yet been approved by the country’s vaccine advisers.

The Department of Health said it wanted “to be ready to hit the ground running” once approval came and be in a position to deliver shots in schools, when the new academic year starts. The return of children to classrooms in September is expected to drive up Britain’s already high infection rate. — AP