Thousands of protesters gathered in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, on Sunday afternoon to protest COVID-19 restrictions and vaccinations, which they fear will become compulsory, according to The Hill.
Large crowds carried signs and other materials with anti-mask and anti-vaccine slogans, including one reading, “Say no to forced vaccination”.
The demonstration, which started at around 15:00 in Izvor Park in front of the Palace of Parliament, was also joined by members of the political party the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), including the party’s co-chairs – Claudiu Tarziu and George Simion, reported Agerpres.
The protests reportedly saw the new round of two-week COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions to the public in certain major cities. Romania previously relaxed COVID-19 rules earlier this year but now faces a rising wave of new infections that health officials have yet to succeed in reversing.
Those present said that they were dissatisfied that the draft law on vaccination of people in Romania under the debate of the Chamber of Deputies. They pointed out the provisions regarding the mandatory vaccination for the entire population as well as the huge fines given in the case of refusal.