Watch: Torch-lit March Against Covid Health Passes in Swiss

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Hundreds of people with torches and Swiss flags filed through a town in Switzerland’s Zurich region, decrying the possible introduction of Covid health passes.

Among the slogans heard during the march on Tuesday night was ‘peace, freedom, the people are sovereign.’ Idiosyncratic bell-ringers and drummers were also present at the rally – a common feature at events like this in Switzerland in recent months.

The protests came just days before the Sunday referendum, in which the Swiss will decide whether or not the Alpine country needs to introduce Covid passes.

Tuesday’s rally passed without incident, with protesters sticking to designated pedestrian areas.

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MASS PROTESTS against Swiss health pass in Zurich (VIDEO)

Crowds of protesters descended with torchlights and national flags in the municipality of Pfäffikon on Tuesday night.

The marches oppose the introduction of the country’s Covid health pass, which will be decided on by referendum this Sunday.

Clashes with police have become more frequent in recent weeks, despite Switzerland being known for its culture of dialogue and compromise.

But unlike many European neighbors, the Swiss will have a direct say in the law passing.

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Similar demonstrations also took place last Saturday in the cities of Zurich and Lausanne, with several thousand people attending.

Other protests such as this one over the past few months did end in violent clashes with the police.

In Bern, fences have been erected to prevent protesters from accessing the government and parliament grounds.

Swiss authorities have also had to provide additional security to a number of officials, including the country’s health minister, who has reportedly been targeted with insults and even death threats.

According to a recent poll, 61% of the country’s population is in favor of amendments that would enable authorities to introduce sanitary passes.

Even though 65% of the population is fully vaccinated, Switzerland has been witnessing a surge in Covid cases over the last few weeks.

However, the country’s government has so far stopped short of imposing new nationwide restrictions, arguing that the situation differs from region to region.

According to them, the decision of whether or not to put in place new curbs will rest with local authorities.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Swiss government warned, however, that it is closely monitoring developments, as they could worsen in the weeks to come.

 

Published by Rt.com 1 and Rt.com 2

 

Republished by The 21st Century

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of 21cir.

 

READ MORE: Thousands flood Swiss capital to decry Covid certificates (VIDEOS)

 

[Top photo: Demonstrators carry a banner reading ‘Back to the Constitution’ as they protest against a planned coronavirus disease (COVID-19) law of the Swiss government, in Zurich, Switzerland November 20, 2021. © REUTERS / Arnd Wiegmann]

 

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