Hundreds Take Part in May Day Protest in Berlin (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Hundreds of protesters in Berlin defied a ban on public gatherings to mark May Day on Friday, exposing deep frustrations with social distancing rules in place in Germany since mid-March.
Police arrested several protesters as more than a thousand people took to the streets of Berlin to celebrate May Day despite the social restriction measures imposed by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Police blocked roads around the square in Berlin's Kreuzberg district, traditionally the centre of left-wing May Day protests that had turned violent in the past, to prevent more people from joining what a police spokeswoman said was an illegal gathering.
The protesters, who were not observing social distancing guidelines, rallied despite a ban on gatherings of more than 20 people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
International Workers' Day, also known as May Day or May 1, is marked by large demonstrations of workers and labour activists across the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University, Germany has reported 163,936 coronavirus cases, with 6,736 deaths related to the virus.
Germany has handled the pandemic more successfully than the United States, Britain and Italy, partly thanks to widespread virus testing, a strong healthcare system and strict lockdown measures introduced in mid-March.
