More than 100,000 gatherings in France against COVID vaccination rules Coronavirus pandemic News

Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Western Europe to protest against COVID-19 vaccination demands, with more than 100,000 people rallied in France to oppose government plans to reduce the rights of those without vaccines.

In the French capital, Paris, protesters, many of them in disguise, faced the cold and rain on Saturday with placards reading “Truth”, “Freedom” and “Vaccination”.

Some even called on President Emmanuel Macron, who caused a stir last week when he said he wanted to “anger” the unvaccinated by making their lives so complicated that they would get hit.

Protests took place in the lower house of France on Thursday accepted a government project that will require people to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus before eating out, traveling on intercity trains, or attending cultural events.

The government has said it expects the new requirements to be implemented by January 15, although now lawmakers in the Senate may delay the process.

The French Interior Ministry said 105,200 people had taken part in protests across France on Saturday, 18,000 of them in the capital Paris, where police reportedly arrested 10 and wounded three light agents.

A total of 24 people were arrested and seven were lightly injured, according to the ministry.

Among the largest demonstrations were about 6,000 protesters in Toulon, while Montpellier police used tear gas in clashes with protesters.

More than 40,000 people also protested in the Austrian capital, Vienna, where vaccination will be mandatory from next month.

Police said the demonstration was largely peaceful.

In Germany, protesters rallied in several cities on Saturday, with the largest event being held in Hamburg, which was attended by about 16,000 people, according to police.

Protest “Enough! Hands off our children ”.

Germany, that is considering implementing a general vaccination order began offering COVID-19 blows to children aged five to 11 last month.

One protester wore the Star of David with the inscription “no vaccine,” according to a police tweet. Agents added that they were investigating.

In Berlin, a demonstration of the coronavirus took the form of a convoy of cars and bicycles. Police counted a total of about 100 vehicles, 70 bicycles and 200 people.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the arguments of vaccine opponents and coronavirus deniers had lost all measure and attention.

“A small group is ready to erase all scientific knowledge from the table and voluntarily get into a bubble of false truths,” he told Welt am Sonntag in a statement.

Protests also took place in Italy, and hundreds of people in Turin protested against the rules that make vaccination mandatory for people over the age of 50.

Tighter laws are also coming into force: from Monday, those without vaccines will not be able to use public transport or go to restaurants.