Munich, Nov. 21, (dpa/GNA) – A Bavarian court has confirmed a ban on a rally of up to 30,000 people planned for Saturday in Munich by the Querdenken (Lateral Thinking) movement.
The Querdenken movement has gained traction in Germany in recent months by arguing that the government’s coronavirus restrictions encroach on citizens’ rights.
The Bavarian higher administrative court confirmed the ban on Friday, after Munich city officials said the demonstration could not go ahead, a decision that was already backed by the Munich administrative court.
The city rightly concluded that the gathering was not justifiable in relation to health protection law, the court said.
The organizers had initially refused to agree to take precautions to comply with hygiene measures, for example complying to minimum distance requirements and wearing masks.
During court proceedings the organizers did give assurances of such measures, but the court deemed this to be “purely procedural tactics” and “unbelievable.”
The decision of the Bavarian court cannot be appealed.
Supporters of the Reichsbuerger (Reich citizens) movement, which rejects the legitimacy of the modern German state, along with groups of right-wing extremists have been seen at past Querdenken rallies.
German authorities have recently warned that the wider anti-lockdown movement is becoming more radical in its approach.
GNA