Germany
2022-01-21
Following the newly introduced COVID-19 measures to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant in Germany, which include vaccination for children and the possibility that vaccination will become compulsory in the country, thousands have protested across Germany during the month of December 2021. However during these protests journalists faced concerning attacks including physical attacks from protesters and the authorities, particularly at protests organised by Querdenker movement.
Querdenker protests banned in Saxony
Following the newly introduced COVID-19 measures to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant in Germany, which include vaccination for children and the possibility that vaccination will become compulsory in the country, thousands have protested across Germany during the month of December 2021. Following the increasing number of demonstrations and rising tensions, police decided to shut down every protest organised by the “lateral thinkers” movement in Saxony, where the group is very strong and where some of their demonstrations in the past months turned violent.
Driver dangerously approaches Extinction Rebellion protesters:
On 8th January 2022, around 15 protesters from the environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion gathered in Bergerdorf. Their action of civil disobedience consisted of blocking the traffic on the B5 by walking for some minutes in the street while holding banners. While they were blocking the road, a person driving a Land Rover suddenly drove towards the protesters, approaching one of the banners. The two activists holding the banner were able to jump aside just in time and avoid being hit by the car. One of the two was reportedly injured in the shoulder but was able to continue demonstrating later. The driver drove off undeterred. The police did not intervene in time and the driver managed to flee. However, the police took the licence plate number of the car and began an investigation into "dangerous interference in road traffic and bodily harm".
Arrests at climate crisis related protest
On 24th January 2022, a civil disobedience protest was staged by activists from the Last Generation Uprising, who are calling for a food-saving law and an agricultural turnaround as part of tackling the climate crisis. The group reports that 25 people were arrested at various blockades.
24.1.22 9:39 Uhr Räumung der spontan Blockade von @AufstandLastGen an der Autobahn Auffahrt das #A103 in Berlin Steglitz Infos gibt es hier https://t.co/u4RgQl1ejN inkl. #Polizeigewalt beim wegziehen und gegen mich und @johnmio #JesuitundDieb @ver_jorg @JoergAltSJ #Containern pic.twitter.com/4puey0GCt4
— #Hambi bleibt (@DanniPilger) January 24, 2022
Several attacks on journalists were documented during Querdenker demonstrations against COVID-19 measures.
#muc0512 17:30 München Marienplatz Querdenken Kundgebung: Tätlicher Angriff eines Teilnehmers auf einen Pressefotografen.
— Jörg Reichel (dju Berlin-Brandenburg) (@ver_jorg) December 5, 2021
Ein TN schlägt einen Journalisten an den Kiefer ins Gesicht. Der Journalist fordert den aggressiven TN wiederholt auf den Abstand zu halten. #Pressefreiheit https://t.co/poBAc6vL1W
Muss dieses Thema leider auch heute sichtbar machen. Der Chef des Journalistenverbandes dju (B-BB) @ver_jorg kritisiert nach #coronaSN-Demo in #Bennewitz Arbeit der @PolizeiSachsen. 2 Journos hatten über Neonazi-Drohungen/Gewalt berichtet. Polizei: keine Anzeigen, alles prima? 🤷♂️ https://t.co/vqvBy09Xn5
— Andreas Szabó (@reDDakteur) December 13, 2021