Tens of thousands gathered in the Austrian capital Vienna to protest Mandatory coronavirus vaccine And home confinement orders for those who have not yet received the injection.
Police said an estimated 44,000 people participated in Saturday’s demonstrations, the latest in a series of large-scale weekend protests since then. Austria Last month, it became the first EU country to say that it will compulsory vaccination against Covid.
One Part of the labor since last month ended on Sunday For those who have been vaccinated but have not received the required dose, they will have to stay at home.
“I oppose the inoculation of fascism,” a protest slogan read. “I am not a neo-Nazi or a gangster,” another said, “I fight for freedom and oppose vaccines.”
Starting in February, all persons over 14 years of age must be vaccinated, except for exemptions for health reasons.
The government stated that no one will compulsory vaccination, but those who refuse the vaccination will have to pay an initial fine of 600 Euros (£510). If it is not resolved, the fine may increase to 3,600 Euros.
Manuela, 47, said she had traveled to the capital to participate in protests. Why “exclude those who have not been vaccinated, especially children?” Manuela asked. She said she was vaccinated, but did not want to reveal her last name. “You can’t send your children to dancing, playing tennis or swimming lessons. This is an incredible discrimination.”
Annalia, a 44-year-old violin teacher, also refused to disclose her surname, saying that this is “not the direction that democracy should take”. “We can have different opinions and values, but we can still live together freely,” she said.
On Saturday, a series of groups called for a rally, including the far-right Liberal Party led by leader Herbert Kickl.
