Saxony has been hit hard by the pandemic. Nevertheless, opponents of the corona policy have been mobilizing for protests for weeks – now 30 people with torches were standing in front of the private house of Health Minister Petra Köpping. After the incident there is cross-party solidarity with the SPD politician.
Opponents of the corona policy protested in front of the home of the Saxon Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) on Friday evening. A police spokeswoman said on Saturday morning. According to her information, around 30 people gathered in front of the house in Grimma, shouting loudly with torches and posters. When the police arrived, the people fled in several vehicles. 15 cars were stopped by the police and the identities of 25 people were established. The police have reported the violation of the Assembly Act and are investigating violations of the Corona Ordinance. Due to the dramatic pandemic situation, according to the Saxon Corona Emergency Ordinance, only gatherings with a maximum of ten people are currently allowed in the state – and only at a fixed location.
SPD chairmen condemn the form of protest
The SPD Saxony as well as the SPD chairmen Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans condemned the protest in front of Köpping’s house. Esken wrote on Twitter: “Even if the few Hansel try to spread fear and horror: the rational and willing to take responsibility are the great majority, and they are by your side!” Walter-Borjans tweeted on Saturday morning: “What happened yesterday in front of Petra @Koepping’s house has nothing to do with worry and the urge for freedom. It is fascistoid in style and appearance.” He went on to write: “Now, at the latest, everyone on whose behalf this mob claims to act must clearly demarcate themselves from those who are shaking the very foundations of our democracy. It is no longer the beginning that we have to fight back.”
Köpping himself comments on the incident
Saxony’s Minister of Health Petra Köpping herself sharply condemned the torchlight demonstration in front of her private house. Objective criticism of the corona measures was completely legitimate, she told the German press agency. “I’m always ready to talk. But torch-lit protests in front of my house are disgusting and indecent.” Köpping said she knew that these weren’t protests, but organized attempts at intimidation by right-wing extremists and conspiracy believers, which unfortunately happened far too often – in front of doctors’ offices, at vaccination centers and hospitals, against mayors and other committed people. Such attempts at intimidation often ended in violence. That is dangerous for each individual and for cohesion. “I thank you for the many supportive letters and calls and I will not be intimidated by the constant rabble and attacks,” said Köpping. The currently necessary fight against the corona pandemic is about human lives.
Protective measures are increased
Saxony’s government spokesman Ralph Schreiber said about the torch demonstration: “The state government sees this as a border crossing with the aim of intimidating those responsible. As a consequence, the protective measures for public officials and their families are being increased further.” SPD General Secretary Lars Klingbeil has sharply condemned the torch demonstration in front of the house of the Saxon Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD). The limits of freedom of expression have been exceeded here, he said on Saturday at a party conference in Berlin. It could not be that politicians were threatened and “right-wing conspirators and oathers” gathered with torches in front of the house of a minister. “That needs an answer with the full rigor of the rule of law, it needs a contradiction of the decent in this country,” emphasized Klingbeil. He assured Köpping: “We are all by your side.”
“SA methods” – other parties also show solidarity with Köpping
The Saxon left showed solidarity with the SPD politician after the elevator. “We feel a deep disgust for such forms of protest,” said the head of the state party. “Anyone who visits other people at home in the dark with torches and drums is not doing it with peaceful intent.” This is a “border crossing and must not be tolerated under any circumstances”. Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann has also sharply condemned the protests. “These are methods that the SA invented,” criticized Kretschmann at the Greens state party conference in Heidenheim in memory of the NSDAP’s fighting organization.
Several protests in Saxony against the Corona course
On Friday evening there were protests against the Corona course in several Saxon locations. The police in Dresden are preparing for a large-scale operation. A demonstration against the corona measures is expected in front of the state parliament on Monday. The police announced a “harder pace”. She was recently criticized because corona deniers marches were able to take place almost unmolested despite the police presence. The state parliament wants to decide on Monday on the determination of the epidemic situation in the Free State. With this, the government wants to achieve legal certainty for the continuation of existing protective measures and their possible expansion. The current emergency ordinance applies until December 12th. It already prescribes stronger restrictions than in many other federal states. Saxony has been hit particularly hard by the fourth wave of the pandemic.
Source From: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
