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Germany flag yes, face mask no: demonstrators in Kassel
Photo: Swen Pförtner / dpa
There were violent riots at a mass demonstration against the Corona measures in Kassel.
Contrary to the city's legally confirmed requirements, thousands gathered in the city center and formed a forbidden procession.
Most did not adhere to the requirement to wear mouth and nose protection.
Again and again there were skirmishes with counter-demonstrators, as well as massive brawls and shovings at a police cordon.
Journalists were attacked and verbally abused.
The police said they used baton and pepper spray.
There were individual arrests.
The so-called "lateral thinkers" group had called for the rally.
10,000 participants in the city center
The police estimated the number of participants at around 10,000 in the inner city area.
According to the police, there were initially only a few people at the rally site in the periphery, which was approved by the Hessian Administrative Court.
Later, however, numerous people also gathered there.
On the central Friedrichsplatz in the afternoon, when the sun was shining, almost a picnic atmosphere developed without much distance, as eyewitnesses reported.
People ignored the prompts to go to the approved meeting place.
The police were on site with a large contingent.
The Hessian forces received support from North Rhine-Westphalia, Thuringia and Rhineland-Palatinate.
The federal police, water cannons and a helicopter were also in action.
According to the decision of the Hessian Administrative Court, demonstrations were only allowed on the Schwanenwiese exhibition grounds with up to 5000 participants and the adjacent German Unity Square with a maximum of 1000 people.
The city had initially completely banned the gatherings due to the recent increase in the number of corona infections.
Berlin police break up the demo
Unlike in Kassel, only a few people came to a demonstration against the Corona restrictions registered in Berlin on Saturday.
Not even a dozen participants gathered in the afternoon for the rally on Alexanderplatz, as a reporter from the AFP news agency reported.
According to the police, only about 70 people took part in a demonstration near the Brandenburg Gate.
The rally was organized by right-wing extremist groups and so-called Reich citizens.
An initially planned car parade through the city did not take place - apparently because of the small number of participants.
According to their own statements, the police broke up the rally in the afternoon because participants violated hygiene regulations.
Despite urgent admonitions, they did not wear masks and did not keep their distance as required, the police wrote on Twitter.
She initiated an investigation because one participant is said to have raised his arm in the Hitler salute;
the suspicion is that symbols of unconstitutional organizations are being used.
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sms / dpa / AFP
