While Spain has experienced a sharp upsurge in Covid-19 cases for several weeks, hundreds of people gathered on Sunday, August 16, in Madrid to protest against the wearing of masks, compulsory in public spaces, as well as against other restrictions imposed to contain the pandemic.

The crowd, mobilized by social networks, gathered under the giant Spanish flag that decorates Colon Square, in the center of the capital. The demonstrators carried placards which proclaimed among other things "The virus does not exist", "The mask kills" or "We are not afraid".

The protest comes two days after the government announced new restrictions, including closing nightclubs and banning smoking where it is impossible to stand within two meters of each other.

"These are all lies" 

Pilar Martin, a 58-year-old housewife from Zaragoza (northeast) said she came to protest in Madrid because she believed governments around the world were exaggerating the numbers of infected people in order to restrict civil liberties.

"They force us to wear the masks, they want to confine us. These are all lies," she told AFP.

Many demonstrators did not wear masks, which are compulsory in all public spaces in the country.

Wearing a mask was first imposed in early May on public transport and then expanded in a country where the death toll is approaching 29,000.

With AFP

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