Thousands of anti-lockdown activists pack into Trafalgar Sq.
Aug 31, 2020 11:02:34 GMT
Post by Admin on Aug 31, 2020 11:02:34 GMT
London protest: Thousands of anti-lockdown activists pack into Trafalgar Square
THOUSANDS of anti-lockdown activists have gathered in London's Trafalgar Square this afternoon,
to demand an end to coronavirus restrictions.
Express.co.uk | Aug 29, 2020
Pictures of the London landmark this afternoon show hundreds of protestors pack into the square, with many holding banners against social distancing rules, the compulsory wearing of masks and a coronavirus vaccine. The "Unite for Freedom" rally started at noon and calls for an "end to Government lies’" and the restoration of all freedoms.
Protestors view the lockdown measures, introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19, as a violation of people’s rights and freedoms.
Pictures of the large crowds show people holding signs that read “coronavirus is a hoax”, “no to mandatory vaccines” and “masks are muzzles”.
One person has claimed it is the largest anti-lockdown protest to date.
They wrote on Twitter: “Trafalgar Square completely full at the UK's largest anti-lockdown anti-mask protest.”
Coronavirus news: Hundreds gather in Trafalgar Square against the coronavirus lockdown (Image: @steverightnleft)
Coronavirus news: Trafalgar Square is jam-packed full of protestors (Image: @steverightnleft)The large numbers of protestors have filled the area beneath the National Portrait Gallery.
Very few of those in attendance appear to be wearing face coverings.
A flyer for the event said the protestors would be joined by "top professional doctors and nurses speaking out".
Jeremy Corbyn’s brother, Piers, is also due to make an appearance at the event.
People hold up signs saying 'masks are muzzles' (Image: Getty)
Similar protests were held in Germany today, but police split up a march attended by some 18,000 coronavirus sceptics in Berlin because they failed to adhere to social distancing rules.
The mass protest against pandemic restrictions had been allowed to go ahead after a bitter legal battle.
But it was halted at about 9am by a police injunction.
The police said: “The minimum distancing is not being respected by most (of the demonstrators) despite repeated requests.
“There is no other option than to break up the gathering.”
Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik had warned that if the demonstrators did not adhere to virus safety rules, police would clear the area “very quickly”.
She said: “We will not be able or willing to watch tens of thousands assemble and create infection risks.”
Earlier this week the city banned the protest but a German regional court overnight gave the final go-ahead by overruling the earlier decision.