Minister Herbert Reul has condemned the riots on the fringes of the weekend's coronavirus demonstrations and warned against a climate of violence and radicalization among protesters. "Everyone should be able to express their opinion. But anyone who incites crime and endangers others is abusing the right to demonstrate. I understand when people are worried and want to express their concerns. But at the same time, self-promoters, esoterics, anti-vaccination activists, conspiracy theorists and even extremists are trying to exploit the uncertainty and poison the social climate. Something is brewing. Everyone should therefore take a close look at whether they want to make common cause with such people," says Reul.
At the weekend, around 1,700 people attended more than 50 gatherings in Dortmund, Aachen and Essen, among other places, to express their protest against the restriction of fundamental rights. This resulted in criminal acts and assaults. The Minister emphasized that the vast majority of people have so far mastered the crisis calmly and responsibly and support the measures taken. Everyone knows that these measures are uncomfortable for everyone and difficult to bear for many. Significantly, however, extremists from both the right and the left are now trying to reach sections of the population that otherwise have no points of contact with extreme attitudes. First on the internet and now also on the streets. Ultimately, however, this is transparent and lousy pied piper work," said Reul. This is why North Rhine-Westphalia has also registered the problem of protests and demonstrations by so-called mixed scenes in connection with corona for the next conference of interior ministers in June.
Reul emphasized the importance of the fundamental right to freedom of assembly. The North Rhine-Westphalian police are also guaranteeing this with the entry into force of the current Corona Protection Ordinance. However, this is subject to the measures to protect against infection. "Anyone who adheres to all requirements has a reliable and good partner in the police. Anyone who breaks the law will get into trouble," says Reul.