Anti-lockdown protests gather force in Europe amid COVID surge | DW News

As many governments tighten restrictions to curb surging coronavirus infections, there’s growing anger from opponents of the measures. Tens of thousands have rallied across Europe. Campaigners say authorities are failing to strike the right balance between protecting public health - and upholding personal freedoms. Thousands of Austrians chanting ’resistance’ marched through the streets of Vienna in reaction to the latest government measures: compulsory vaccinations and a new national lockdown. The protesters are outnumbered though - by active COVID-19 cases in Austria, which total nearly 200,000. The government says the lockdown and compulsory vaccinations are the only way to stop hospitals being overwhelmed. As winter bites in Europe, cases are surging, compelling governments to act. But also sparking more and more protests. Thousands turned out in Croatia to express their anger. Protests in the Netherlands spilled over into violence, destruction and dozens of arrests. Across Europe, frustration and fat