Hundreds of people gathered in a square in Berlin yesterday to mark May Day in defiance of a ban on public gatherings of more than 20.
The move has exposed deep frustrations with social distancing rules in place in Germany since mid-March to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Police blocked roads around the Kreuzberg district square – traditionally the centre of left-wing May Day protests that have turned violent in the past – to prevent more from joining what a spokesman said was an illegal gathering.
Leftist groups had called for the demonstration to denounce capitalism and urge more solidarity, especially with refugees seeking to reach Europe. They had urged participants to wear masks and stay at least 1.5 metres apart.
Hundreds of people gathered in a square in Berlin yesterday to mark May Day in defiance of a ban on public gatherings of more than 20. Pictured: Police swooped and arrested six
Police blocked roads around the square in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district to prevent more people from joining what a police spokesman said was an illegal gathering (pictured)
Leftist groups had called for the demonstration to denounce capitalism and urge more solidarity, especially with refugees seeking to reach Europe. They had urged participants to wear masks (pictured) and stay at least 1.5 metres apart
Berlin police, which had deployed 5,000 officers in the capital, swooped on the square where many of the mainly young protesters wore masks and many others drank beer, smoked or pushed their bikes. One couple was seen kissing
‘Saving lives is not a crime,’ read a giant red banner dangled from a window, in a reference to the rescue ships saving refugees trying to reach Europe.
Berlin police, which had deployed 5,000 officers in the capital, swooped on the square where many of the mainly young protesters wore masks and many others drank beer, smoked or pushed their bikes.
It was a rare scene of normality after weeks where most streets were deserted because of the lockdown.
Most of those gathered appeared to be keeping a safe distance from one another. Riot police watched from a distance as a police helicopter circled overhead. Pictured: Police detaining one man
Several demonstrations approved by police had taken place earlier across the German capital. Police arrested six people after a group of youths attacked a camera crew of national broadcaster ZDF, the police spokesman said
A large police patrol stand guard and a dog sits by at the May Day demonstrations amid the novel coronavirus crisis yesterday
Germany has been slowly easing its way out of a six-week lockdown. Playgrounds, museums and churches will open from Monday to go with the small shops that reopened this week. Pictured: The May Day protest
Most of those gathered appeared to be keeping a safe distance from one another. Riot police watched from a distance as a police helicopter circled overhead.
‘We have prevented the parade from growing bigger and are using loudspeakers to urge people to disperse,’ the police spokesman said, adding that the situation remained largely peaceful.
Several demonstrations approved by police had taken place earlier across the German capital. Police arrested six people after a group of youths attacked a camera crew of national broadcaster ZDF, the police spokesman said.
An overwhelming majority of Germans back the lockdown enforced by the country’s 16 states and backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, despite its heavy toll on the economy, which is expected to contract by a record of more than 6 per cent this year. Pictured: A poster dangling from a window reads: ‘Solidarity despite Corona’
Germany has handled the pandemic more successfully than the United States, Britain and Italy, partly thanks to widespread virus testing, a strong healthcare system and strict lockdown measures introduced in mid-March. But people have hit back against the restrictions with protests in the capital (pictured)
One woman appears to meditate with her eyes closed in the square as police stand behind her and monitor the rest of the protest
Police detain a protester during the protest on May Day in the district Kreuzberg in Berlin, as the public voice their frustration at the lockdown
Germany has been slowly easing its way out of a six-week lockdown. Playgrounds, museums and churches will open from Monday to go with the small shops that reopened this week.
An overwhelming majority of Germans back the lockdown enforced by the country’s 16 states and backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, despite its heavy toll on the economy, which is expected to contract by a record of more than 6 per cent this year.
Germany has handled the pandemic more successfully than the United States, Britain and Italy, partly thanks to widespread virus testing, a strong healthcare system and strict lockdown measures introduced in mid-March.