As announced in advance, the police checked Heroes’ Square from noon. There were organ mandates, reports and, according to police spokesman Christopher Verhnjak, an arrest because an activist had refused to put on a mask despite several requests.
From around 12:00 p.m., the demo participants had gathered on Heldenplatz and Maria-Theresienplatz. There was also a rally in the Votive Park. The opening rally alone lasted until just before 4 p.m. before the demonstrators set off for a lap around the ring. The police initially spoke of at least several thousand, more precise estimates were announced for the rest of the afternoon or evening. The police stand-by unit checked compliance with the mask requirement in small groups. The FFP2 protective masks were worn sporadically, which led to numerous complaints – threatened with fines of up to 3,600 euros – and organ mandates.
Verhnjak spoke of a particularly challenging assignment for the officials, as escalations had to be avoided. People at the demo who wore police-like uniforms were also checked – but with the words “Personenschutzer” on the back instead of “Police”. According to the police spokesman, they were reported under the Security Police Act for using police-like uniforms. They also had pepper spray with them, which is also forbidden. A Reich war flag was also confiscated. In this case, investigations are being carried out, among other things, into a possible violation of the Prohibition Act and the Insignia Act.
“Dance in Parliament”
Numerous speakers appeared at the opening rally, including FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl. He announced a “real dance in parliament” in the debate about compulsory vaccination in the coming week and promised to continue fighting for new elections: “Game over instead of game changer,” says Kickl. “The government is dead, democracy is alive, only Nehammer (ÖVP Chancellor Karl Nehammer, note) hasn’t gotten it yet.”
The FPÖ chairman criticized the planned vaccination requirement particularly severely: “Constitutionally, this law is nothing more than a violation of fundamental rights and freedoms.” And from a medical point of view, none of the reasons mentioned for the obligation to vaccinate were left. Kickl also called for the abolition of other corona rules such as the obligation to wear a mask or the lockdown for the unvaccinated.
Video: Another Corona demo with FPÖ participation in Vienna
In addition to other FPÖ representatives such as Lower Austria Chairman Udo Landbauer and Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz, the opponents of the measures Michael Rutter and the doctor Andreas Sönnichsen appeared as speakers. This was terminated by MedUni Vienna in autumn because, according to the university, he did not comply with the Corona regulations and apparently also asked students to ignore them. In addition, instructions were not followed, according to the MedUni last December.
According to SPÖ security spokesman Reinhold Einwallner, another speaker spoke of “Nuremberg Processes 2.0” for all MPs who will vote for compulsory vaccination. “This blunt downplaying of the Holocaust by equating members of the National Council with National Socialists in the Corona crisis is extremely dangerous and has no place on the stage of a parliamentary party!” Einwallner emphasized in a broadcast.
At around 4:00 p.m., the procession gathered around the ring for a demonstration. According to Verhnjak, there were initially no major incidents.
Source: Nachrichten
