Headline Roundup • December 13th, 2021
Mass Protests in Prague and Vienna Over COVID-19 Restrictions, Vaccine Mandates
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Thousands of people protested in Prague and Vienna over the weekend against COVID-19 restrictions in the Czech Republic and Austria.
The protests in Prague stemmed from a recent order from the outgoing government that made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for police officers, firefighters, people ages 60 and over, and medical students and personnel. The demonstrations in Austria centered around the reimposition of a national lockdown three weeks ago and a mandatory vaccine requirement expected in February. Austria's lockdown was mostly lifted across the country Monday for vaccinated people, but unvaccinated individuals are still subject to Restrictions. Roughly 61% of people in the Czech Republic have been fully vaccinated, and roughly 69% of people in Austria have been fully vaccinated. On average, countries in the European Union (EU) have a 66% vaccination rate.
Outlets across the spectrum covered the protests, but right-rated sources tended to cover them more prominently. Some reports from left- and center-rated sources highlighted the lack of social distancing and mask-wearing at the demonstrations.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Reuters
Tens of thousands of people rallied in Vienna on Saturday in protest against restrictions introduced to halt the spread of coronavirus in Austria, including mandatory COVID-19 vaccines and home confinement orders for the unvaccinated.
Around 1,400 police officers were on duty to oversee the protest, which attracted an estimated 44,000 people, and followed a similar demonstration in the Austrian capital last week.
Police said three people were arrested for offences including the use of fireworks and disregarding the requirement to wear masks. Journalists covering the event, which began in Heldenplatz square, were attacked with snow balls...
Associated Press
Several thousand people marched through the Czech capital on Sunday, protesting a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for certain groups including people age 60 and over.
The participants didn’t wear face coverings or follow social distancing rules despite a request by police to do so. One person was detained.
The protesters, chanting “Freedom!” alleged their constitutional rights are being violated. They said they weren’t against voluntary vaccination but opposed a vaccine mandate.
The outgoing government released an order this week, making vaccination mandatory for the 60 and over age group, as well as medical...
Al Jazeera
Tens of thousands gathered in Austria’s capital Vienna to protest mandatory COVID vaccines and home confinement orders for those who have not yet received the jab.
Police said an estimated 44,000 people attended the demonstration on Saturday, the latest in a string of huge weekend protests since Austria last month became the first EU country to say it would make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory.
A partial confinement since last month ends on Sunday for the vaccinated, but those who have not received the required doses will have to remain at home.
“No to...
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