Thousands protest in Vienna as far-right march on COVID measures banned

[webfact]

Thousands protest in Vienna as far-right march on COVID measures banned

 

People gather during a demonstration against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures and their economic consequences in Vienna, Austria, January 31, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

 

VIENNA (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters faced off with police in riot gear in Vienna on Sunday at the site of a banned far-right demonstration against coronavirus restrictions.

 

Vienna police banned numerous protests planned for this weekend, including one by the far-right Freedom Party on Sunday, on the grounds that protesters have generally failed to observe rules on social distancing and often not worn face masks.

 

Since Dec. 26, Austria has been in its third national lockdown, with non-essential shops and many other businesses closed and their staff unable to work.

 

The opposition Freedom Party has denounced various restrictions as "corona madness" and its leaders have sent mixed messages on issues such as vaccinations.

 

Freedom Party deputy leader Herbert Kickl on Saturday accused the conservative-led government of banning criticism in general. He urged his supporters to go on a walk in the capital instead of attending the banned protest, and to "articulate their displeasure peacefully".

 

The affiliation of many of Sunday's protesters was not immediately clear.

 

Some of them, however, expressed support for the Freedom Party, and many opposed conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, chanting and waving banners saying "Kurz must go" - often without wearing masks. Many carried Austrian flags.

 

The crowd, which police estimated at 5,000, gathered on a square in central Vienna across the central ring road from the former imperial palace as well as from the offices of Kurz and President Alexander Van der Bellen.

 

Rows of police in riot gear and face masks prevented the crowd from marching down the ring road.

 

After riots in the Netherlands apparently set off by the introduction of a night-time curfew, Austrian police avoided escalation despite having ordered the crowd to disperse, and the atmosphere was tense but peaceful.

 

A Reuters witness saw police make some arrests and estimated the size of the protests at thousands. Police confirmed arrests had been made without giving numbers.

 

(Reporting by Lisi Niesner and Francois Murphy; editing by Barbara Lewis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-01

 

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[Jeffr2]

Look like a bunch of nutters.  Somewhat like the ones who stormed the US capitol.

[helpisgood]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

protesters have generally failed to observe rules on social distancing and often not worn face masks.

 

What's so hard about wearing a mask and keeping one's distance from others?  If that was the most onerous govt. requirement, then we'd be in a near utopia.  

[Jeffr2]

24 minutes ago, helpisgood said:

 

What's so hard about wearing a mask and keeping one's distance from others?  If that was the most onerous govt. requirement, then we'd be in a near utopia.  

They're being fed fake news and divisive info via the alt right media outlets. 

[mauGR1]

Why everyone who protests against the covid restrictions is branded "far right " ?

Oh, well, I think I know. 

[Jeffr2]

11 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

Why everyone who protests against the covid restrictions is branded "far right " ?

Oh, well, I think I know. 

Because most are.  That's well documented.  Along with the conspiracy theories regarding covid that are all over far right sites.

 

You should read this:

 

https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-and-conspiracies-how-the-far-right-is-exploiting-the-pandemic-145968

Just as the global death toll from COVID-19 reached 250,000 at the start of May this year, a short film emerged that has since been called “the first true hit conspiracy video of the COVID-19 era”. Titled “Plandemic”, it featured a lengthy interview with the discredited scientist Judy Mikovits, who falsely argued that the COVID death tolls were being exaggerated to pave the way for a large-scale vaccination programme.

 

Allegedly orchestrated by “big pharma” companies in conjunction with Bill Gates, this scheme would supposedly “kill millions” in the name of generating profit. The video was removed from Facebook and YouTube where it had been shared, but not before it was watched an estimated 8 million times.

[mauGR1]

16 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Because most are.  That's well documented.  Along with the conspiracy theories regarding covid that are all over far right sites.

 

You should read this:

 

https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-and-conspiracies-how-the-far-right-is-exploiting-the-pandemic-145968

Just as the global death toll from COVID-19 reached 250,000 at the start of May this year, a short film emerged that has since been called “the first true hit conspiracy video of the COVID-19 era”. Titled “Plandemic”, it featured a lengthy interview with the discredited scientist Judy Mikovits, who falsely argued that the COVID death tolls were being exaggerated to pave the way for a large-scale vaccination programme.

 

Allegedly orchestrated by “big pharma” companies in conjunction with Bill Gates, this scheme would supposedly “kill millions” in the name of generating profit. The video was removed from Facebook and YouTube where it had been shared, but not before it was watched an estimated 8 million times.

Well, I am not far right,  or left, or anything,  and there's a lot to argue about this pandemic. 

[Jeffr2]

28 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

Well, I am not far right,  or left, or anything,  and there's a lot to argue about this alleged pandemic. 

Alleged?  Come on.  Millions dead and you say that?  Stunning.

[mauGR1]

3 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Alleged?  Come on.  Millions dead and you say that?  Stunning.

It's stunning,  we can agree on that, although I guess we are stunned for different reasons. 

[Jeffr2]

47 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

It's stunning,  we can agree on that, although I guess we are stunned for different reasons. 

OK.  I'll bite.  Give me your reason.

[mauGR1]

1 hour ago, Jeffr2 said:

OK.  I'll bite.  Give me your reason.

Well, if you really believe this is a far-right demonstration,  I'm not going to waste time arguing. 

[Jeffr2]

35 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

Well, if you really believe this is a far-right demonstration,  I'm not going to waste time arguing. 

OK.  Ya got nothing.  I tried.

[roquefort]

7 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Look like a bunch of nutters.  Somewhat like the ones who stormed the US capitol.

Looks like a bunch of peaceful protestors exercising their democratic rights.

 

"The affiliation of many of Sunday's protesters was not immediately clear."

"Vienna police banned numerous protests planned for this weekend, including one by the far-right Freedom Party".

 

But according to the clickbait headline it was only a far-right march that was banned. Anyone who questions anything in the official narrative about the pandemic is immediately branded "far-right" by the social media warriors.

[Jeffr2]

10 minutes ago, roquefort said:

Looks like a bunch of peaceful protestors exercising their democratic rights.

 

"The affiliation of many of Sunday's protesters was not immediately clear."

"Vienna police banned numerous protests planned for this weekend, including one by the far-right Freedom Party".

 

But according to the clickbait headline it was only a far-right march that was banned. Anyone who questions anything in the official narrative about the pandemic is immediately branded "far-right" by the social media warriors.

Makes sense.  Question the official facts about the pandemic and you are probably a member of the far right.  We don't need covid deniers.  They do no good to our society.

[roquefort]

2 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Makes sense.  Question the official facts about the pandemic and you are probably a member of the far right.  We don't need covid deniers.  They do no good to our society.

So much for free speech then. Are you a member of the CCP? You would fit right in.

 

[Jeffr2]

55 minutes ago, roquefort said:

So much for free speech then. Are you a member of the CCP? You would fit right in.

 

We don't have free speech.  It doesn't exist.  There are many restrictions depending on where you live.  I'm sure you're aware of that.  If not, you should do some research.  And spreading misinformation about the pandemic is terrible.  That should NOT be allowed.  Luckily, here on this forum, it isn't.

[ExpatOK]

15 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

We don't have free speech.  It doesn't exist.  There are many restrictions depending on where you live.  I'm sure you're aware of that.  If not, you should do some research.  And spreading misinformation about the pandemic is terrible.  That should NOT be allowed.  Luckily, here on this forum, it isn't.

Read the book or watch the movie "1984".  It shows what's going on in the world now.

[Jeffr2]

7 minutes ago, ExpatOK said:

Read the book or watch the movie "1984".  It shows what's going on in the world now.

Thanks! I like John Hurt a lot!

 

We're living in crazy times. Hopefully, once in a century kind.  Not sure I'd like to go through this again.

[Scott]

Troll post and replies removed.

 

[LukKrueng]

On 2/1/2021 at 8:03 AM, helpisgood said:

 

What's so hard about wearing a mask and keeping one's distance from others?  If that was the most onerous govt. requirement, then we'd be in a near utopia.  

But it's not. From the op:

Since Dec. 26, Austria has been in its third national lockdown, with non-essential shops and many other businesses closed and their staff unable to work.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

20 hours ago, ExpatOK said:

Read the book or watch the movie "1984".  It shows what's going on in the world now.

Well up until last month anyway.

[helpisgood]

52 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

But it's not. From the op:

Since Dec. 26, Austria has been in its third national lockdown, with non-essential shops and many other businesses closed and their staff unable to work.

 

Yes, I know it's about those lockdowns, as you have correctly pointed out..  My comment is not about what they are protesting against, but how they are doing it.  Thus, that's why I only quoted that part of the OP. 

 

My only point is that it is possible to protest the lockdowns while doing it safely, or as safely as possible, with masks and some kind of social distancing. 

 

As for the need for these lockdowns, that's another issue.