Protesters shouting “freedom”, clapping and cheering came together on Sunday under the large red and yellow Spanish flag that flutters above Plaza Colon in central Madrid, complaining about government repression.
Anti-maskers held up placards reading, “The virus doesn’t exist” and “We’re not afraid”, in response to calls on social media to stand up against the measures put in place against the pandemic, AFP news agency reported.
The protest drew a wide spectrum of people including anti-vaxxers, libertarians and conspiracy theorists, AFP said.
Many anti-mask protesters refused to comply with Spain's new law that makes face masks obligatory in crowded outdoor spaces, though some did wear masks, despite the subject of their protests.
Surge in Covid-19 cases
The country has witnessed a spike in coronavirus infections since it ended its three-month lockdown on 21 June.
Mask-wearing in Spain was originally mandated in early May as necessary for those travelling on public transport, and was later expanded.
Hundreds gathered in Madrid to protest against the mandatory use of face masks in Spain pic.twitter.com/obGRjiXMNX
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 17, 2020
Almost 29,000 people have been killed by Covid-19, the eighth highest death toll in the world, according to statistics from John Hopkins University.
Authorities in Madrid announced new measures against the virus two days ago to halt the spread of the virus, closing discos and slapping a ban on smoking in public areas unless social distancing is possible.
