Thousands of protesters gathered in Berlin on Saturday to protest against government leaders considering imposing additional coronavirus restrictions on unvaccinated people in the country.
The Associated Press reported that nine different demonstrations were held on Saturday, despite bans from several protests due to concern over the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
However, a court ruled that one of the protests planned for 500 people could take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Thousands of police officers were stationed in Berlin to respond to the demonstrations, trying to disperse crowds that had piled up despite orders forbidding them to gather.
The video and photos spread on social media showed many people gathered on the streets of the city, with most people seen without masks, as police officers forcibly arrested some protesters.
BREAKING – Germany: Massive police violence denounced in Berlin during today’s peaceful anti-VOC_ID protest pic.twitter.com/kYGwJCyhIC
– Mr. Wolf (@mole_cola) August 28, 2021
Counter-protesters also gathered in the area, including a so-called “Love Train,” with the AP reporting that the group was also able to attract a large crowd to support restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Saturday’s protests followed demonstrations of anti-coronavirus measures earlier this month that resulted in clashes between police and some protesters, with authorities arresting more than 600 people, according to The Guardian.
German leaders have been for weeks considering whether to impose additional restrictions on unvaccinated people attending public meetings, including restaurants, cinemas and stadiums.
As of Saturday, about 61 percent of the German population has been completely vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Reuters.
There have also been protests across Europe in recent weeks, as governments work to determine the best ways to handle new rises in the virus, which occur mainly among unvaccinated groups.
In France, protesters have gathered every Saturday for more than a month in opposition to the country’s new health pass required in restaurants, museums and other places.
The pass includes a QR code that companies can scan to find a person to show they have been completely vaccinated or have recently had a negative COVID-19 test.
Although approximately 64% of the French population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the majority of French citizens support the health permit, a vocal minority has repeatedly taken to the streets against the measure, arguing that it violates the personal liberties.