On Wednesday, November 18, a mass protest took place against the restrictive measures imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Around 10,000 people took out to the streets of Berlin. Police tried of no effect to disperse protesters. Consequently, the security forces were forced to use water cannons and tear gas against them. This was reported by DW.
Protesters, including anti-vaccination proponents, timed their action to the Bundestag discussions on amendments to the law on protection against infectious diseases.
Many participants of the protest were without protective masks and did not follow the quarantine rules. Thus, law enforcement officials urged the protesters to disperse as they were violating the rules of hygiene. As nobody did follow the instructions of officers, the police were forced to use water cannons and tear gas. In response, some of the protesters were throwing bottles and pyrotechnics. Police pushed the protesters away from the Brandenburg Gate, several people were detained. Those who were present were once again asked to disperse and after some, the police time re-used water cannons.
The deputy head of the German Trade Union of the Police (Gewerkschaft der Polizei, GdP), Jörg Radek, said that among the demonstrators were a lot of football hooligans and right-wing extremists who had previously come under police scrutiny. Some protesters were showing a "Hitler salute."
According to Apostrophe, on November 17 in Kyiv, another protest against the quarantine took place. Ukrainian entrepreneurs came under the Verkhovna Rada building and tried to break into the Verkhovna Rada building, breaking through the line of law enforcement officers.