Updated June 6, 2020, 11:00 p.m.
The death of black George Floyd during a police operation in the United States also moves Germany. Thousands of people take to the streets. Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn, meanwhile, is concerned about the crowds during the corona pandemic.
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn has shown concern after the recent anti-racism demonstrations about crowds during the corona pandemic. “The fight against racism needs our common commitment. Every day,” Spahn said on Saturday evening on Twitter. “But crowds of people in the middle of the pandemic are getting me.” Even when it comes to important issues: “Keep your distance, wear an everyday mask, take care of each other. To protect us and others.”
20,000 demonstrators in Munich alone
Tens of thousands of people in Germany demonstrated against racism and police violence on Saturday. According to police, there were around 15,000 participants at Alexanderplatz in Berlin alone; the organizers had expected 1,500 participants. Around 20,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Munich. The trigger was the death of black George Floyd in the USA in a brutal police operation in late May. There was criticism on Saturday because in some places the minimum distance due to the corona pandemic was not kept.
Many of the demonstrators on Alexanderplatz were dressed in dark clothes. During a minute’s silence, the participants, including many young people, sat on the floor. It lasted exactly eight minutes and 46 seconds. That was how long a policeman had Floyd on May 25th he pressed his knee back until he lost consciousness and died shortly afterwards. In the United States there were protests and sometimes riots.
Assembly area had to be expanded
Saturday went in Germany Also in cities like Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Mannheim and Stuttgart thousands on the streets. Calls for “Silent Demos” had been published on the Internet. “No to racism“and” Black Lives Matter “, it was said there. The demonstrators were to appear in black clothes. During the demonstration they wanted to silently and silently remind Floyd’s death.
In Munich shouts of “Black Lives Matter” were heard over and over again. A police spokesman said: “We made permanent announcements to indicate compliance with the distance rules, which were often not adhered to at the beginning.” The meeting area was finally expanded to make more space. The 200 people registered had become 20,000 demonstrators.
SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach commented critically on Twitter: “I fully share the cause of the protest. But the gaps are still too small.” The danger of the corona pandemic has not been averted. Racism must be combated, but without avoidable corona deaths.
Polzei: “We are at your side”
In Hamburg The police spoke of a total of 14,000 participants at two almost simultaneous rallies at Jungfernstieg and Rathausmarkt – only a good 800 were allowed because of the corona measures. The Hamburg police had already declared their solidarity before the demonstrations. “We are by your side!” She tweeted before the rallies started. “Racism must have no place in our society. We work every day so that everyone in Hamburg can feel safe.”
The Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) said that racism kills, not only in America. “I thank those who stand up against it today and who live every day that human dignity is inviolable. Every human being.”
Violent outbreaks in Hamburg and Berlin
Following the peaceful protests in downtown Hamburg, there were clashes between a group of demonstrators and the police. Pyrotechnics had been ignited from the group, said a spokeswoman. According to the police, two officers were injured. At first, there were three injuries – but in one case it turned out that there were circulatory problems, it was said on request. Some disguised people would have unrolled banners with the words “Bull pigs” and “ACAB”, which stands for “All cops are bastards”. The police used water cannons to clear the square.
According to the police, there was also an outbreak of violence in Berlin after the peaceful demonstration. A group of people were throwing stones and bottles at police officers and passersby, as a local spokeswoman said. A press photographer was also hit by a bottle. He suffered a head wound. It was not a targeted attack, said a police spokeswoman. There were also occasionally injured police officers and arrests, the police said on Twitter. At first there was no information on exact figures. (dpa / fra)
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