Police break up anti-lockdown protest in Germany

BERLIN (AA) - Police forcibly broke up an anti-lockdown protest near German parliament on Wednesday after thousands of protestors defied the police orders to disperse.

Nearly 5,000 protestors, including right-wing extremists and anti-vaccination activists, gathered outside the landmark Brandenburg Gate, while lawmakers were discussing a new legislation for stricter coronavirus restrictions.

As protestors refused to wear masks and keep a safe distance, the police told protest leaders to end the demonstration peacefully and later used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.

Several protestors were handcuffed and arrested after refusing to leave the area.