Coronavirus lockdown protesters clashed with police as authorities blame whacky conspiracy theories for breeding distrust. German politicians expressed alarm on Monday over anti-lockdown protests held in major cities at the weekend, warning conspiracy theorists and others with an agenda were exploiting frustration with measures to contain the pandemic.
During the rallies tens of thousands of ordinary Germans joined with conspiracy theorists to protest coronavirus restrictions.
They held up posters of billionaire Bill Gates, Merkel and her peripatetic medical adviser, Christian Drosten – who have all advocated lockdown measure to contain the pandemic.