SecondThousands of people gathered in Leipzig to protest the corona measures in the year following the escalation of the demonstrations by the “horizontal thinkers” in Leipzig. “Our absolute goal is to have no elevators,” police spokesman Olafhope said on Saturday. The police dispatched a large number of troops and three water cannon squadrons at the scene. Other federal states also provide support.
There was a national mobilization for the demonstration. The observer spoke of a nervous mood. As it was a year ago, participants tried to force them to pass through the historic ring. “Run, run,” they shouted on the way from Augustus Square to the train station. Many participants held candles in their hands. However, the police blocked the street and was booed by the demonstrators. A video on Twitter showed how many demonstrators walked through Leipzig city centre without obvious police escorts on Saturday night.
In between the protests, 24 right-wingers were arrested. The police notified the police in the afternoon that they had been detained with prohibited items. “You can’t participate in any more activities today.”
The “Leipzig Movement” called for demonstrations for freedom and anti-corona measures. The initial enrollment was 3,000 people, including the train that crossed the Leipzig ring line. Due to the intensification of the new crown epidemic in Saxony, only fixed gatherings of up to 1,000 people are allowed to participate. Early in the afternoon, the meeting place was blocked because this number had already been reached. However, there are many other followers outside. The police subsequently tried to move more demonstrators to other areas. In addition, many people gathered in the city for counter-protests.
On November 7, 2020, a “Horizontal Thinking” demonstration with at least 20,000 participants was held in Leipzig. Even so, trains crossing the Leipzig ring line are not allowed. However, after the assembly was disbanded for multiple violations of regulations, thousands of people were forced to cross the ring. The ring was the site of Monday demonstrations during the peaceful revolution of 1989, which led to the end of East Germany.
