COVID skeptics defy protest ban in Berlin

BERLIN (AFP) — Thousands of anti-lockdown demonstrators defied a court-ordered protest ban on Sunday and gathered in the streets of Berlin, resulting in scuffles with police.

Police said some protesters had “harassed and attacked” officers and ignored roadblocks, disrupting traffic in parts of the German capital.

“They tried to break through the police chain and pull out our colleagues.

This led to the use of irritants, batons and physical violence,” Berlin police tweeted.

A police spokesman said some 5,000 protesters had turned out.