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Grassroots Resistance in Europe and Australia to Vaccine Mandates and Lockdowns Escalate as COVID Vaccines Fail

woman and others protesting

Despite nearly two years of persistent public protests in major cities in Europe1 and Australia, 2 3 the governments currently in power have declined to respond to the deep concerns of significant numbers of people living in western democracies,4 who are opposed to the suspension of civil liberties associated with COVID-19 vaccine mandates and lockdowns.5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Following the direction of World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. public health officials, European Union (E.U.) and Australian government leaders have maintained that the only way to “stop” the COVID pandemic is universal COVID-19 vaccination of all populations.12 13 About 92 percent of Australians have received one or more doses of COVID vaccine14 and in the Netherlands it is at least 77 percent, with the most populous E.U. countries reporting a vaccination rate of 70 percent or higher.15

Even with the majority of people vaccinated, there have been reports of increases in COVID disease and predictions of more economic hardship for Europe.16 Recently, the governments of Netherlands and Austria announced new lockdowns and COVID-19 vaccine mandates,17 which were met with massive public demonstrations in Vienna, Amsterdam, The Hague, Rome, Brussels and other cities on the weekend of Nov. 19-20, 2021 that turned violent in Rotterdam.18 19 20

VIDEO: Watch footage from recent global protests against COVID vaccine mandates and lockdowns here.

While major European cities have been holding protests in November, there have been demonstrations in Australia21 against continuing restrictions on liberty, such as the freedom to enter public spaces and make voluntary decisions about COVID vaccine use without being subjected to sanctions.22 Media reports describing the pro-liberty protests generally place the blame for increasing social unrest on the continuing COVID pandemic and the minority of people who refuse to get vaccinated,23 24ignoring the

fact that COVID vaccines quickly lose effectiveness25 26 and do not reliably prevent infection and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in populations with high vaccination rates.

According to the WHO Director-General:

We’re concerned about the false sense of security that vaccines have ended the pandemic and people who are vaccinated do not need to take any other precautions… Vaccines save lives, but they do not fully prevent transmission. Data suggests that before the arrival of the Delta variant, vaccines reduced transmission by about 60 percent. With Delta, that has dropped to about 40 percent.27

Austria: “Peace, freedom, no dictatorship”

On Nov. 19, 2021, the Austrian government announced a new 10-20 day nationwide lockdown that confined Austrians to their homes except to go to work, shop for essentials and exercise. The government also became the first E.U. country to institute mandatory vaccination, giving citizens a Feb. 1, 2022 deadline to get vaccinated.

The next day, tens of thousands of Austrians took to the streets whistling, blowing horns and banging drums in Vienna. Waving Austrian flags, chanting “Resistance” and holding signs that proclaimed “no to vaccination” and “enough is enough” and “down with the fascist dictatorship,” they marched to Heroes’ Square in front of the former Hofburg Palace in central Vienna.28 29

There was another big rally on Nov. 27 in Graz, Sankt Poelten and Klagenfurt. This time they chanted “Peace, freedom, no dictatorship.”30

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg was quoted as stating that the country’s 67 percent vaccination rate is too low and as a result “we will never get out of the vicious circle of new waves and new debates on lockdowns.”31 He added:

Every lockdown is a heavy interference in fundamental rights. Compare to that, compulsory vaccination is a minor interference.

However, the leader of Austria’s populist FPO party Herbert Kickl branded the government’s mandatory vaccination announcement as “unconstitutional” and said “Austria is now a dictatorship.” He called on the nation’s high court to intervene and block “totalitarian” measures by a government “that believes it should think and decide for us.”32

He said:

Because the government has failed since the beginning of the pandemic, the population now has to pay for it with an unconstitutional mandatory vaccination. In almost two years, the government has not been able to develop effective strategies to protect the people. Instead it has set up new harassment week after week to curtail healthy people in their basic rights bit by bit. And now we have reached a level with compulsory vaccination that nobody actually thought was possible. We cannot and must not put up with that.33

Belgium: “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”

After COVID cases increased in a population with a 76 percent vaccination rate,34 Belgian government officials announced reinforced COVID-19 restrictions and it triggered a demonstration that drew at least 35,000 people into central Brussels.35 Associated Press reported that protesters were shouting “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!” and singing the anti-fascist song “Bella Ciao” as they marched to E.U. headquarters.

At the end of the rally as the peaceful crowd was dispersing, some of the protestors started clashing with police, smashing cars and setting garbage bins on fire. The police responded with tear gas and water cannons and 42 protestors were detained with two arrested.

Netherlands: Peaceful Demonstration Against COVID Lockdown Turns Violent

A COVID-related partial lockdown was announced in the Netherlands on Nov. 12 with the government placing limits on home visitors, encouraging work from home and cancelling many public events, which sparked clashes between protesters and police outside the justice ministry in The Hague. Restrictions include closure of bars, restaurants, cafes and supermarkets at 8 pm. daily, while “non-essential” shops must close at 6 p.m. Government officials are considering restricting entrance to indoor public venues to those who have a “corona pass” proving they have been vaccinated or have recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 infection.36

On Nov. 19, seven people were injured when Dutch police used water cannons and fired on anti-lockdown protesters throwing rocks and fireworks, wounding two and arresting 20 people during a demonstration in one of Rotterdam’s main shopping areas. Riot police carrying shields and batons and officers on horseback and in police vans patrolled the streets after the confrontation that left at least one police car burned out and dozens of bicycles destroyed.37 Local media reported that gangs were involved in the rioting, marring what was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration.

A local political party leader said:

The center of our beautiful city has this evening transformed into a war zone. Rotterdam is a city where you can disagree with things that happen but violence is never, never, the solution.38

Italy: “People like us never give up”

In Rome on Nov. 20, thousands of Italians gathered in the Circus Maximus, a field that was the site of huge events in the ancient capitol, to protest the “Green Pass” COVID vaccination certificates required by employers, restaurants, theaters, sports arenas and gums and public transportation.39 One demonstrator carried a banner in the red, white and green colors of the Italian flag that said, “People like us never give up.”40

Australia: “Less Government, More Freedom”

On Nov. 27, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia to protest against mandatory COVID vaccinations. Protests took place in 30 cities and towns across Australia organized by Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccination.41 Draped in Australian flags and carrying signs that said “Never lock down again” and “Less government, more freedom” and “No one can stop the awakening of humanity,” the crowd sang “I am, you are, we are Australian” joined by Australian members of Parliament who oppose vaccine mandates.


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Note: This commentary provides referenced information and perspective on a topic related to vaccine science, policy, law or ethics being discussed in public forums and by U.S. lawmakers.  The websites of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provide information and perspective of federal agencies responsible for vaccine research, development, regulation and policymaking.

Click here to view References:

1 Fisher BL. Mass Protests in Greece and France Opposing COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates and Health Passports. The Vaccine Reaction July 18, 2021.
2 Johnson S, Boaz J. Thousands of anti-lockdown, vaccine mandate protesters march at COVID rallies across Australia. ABC (AU) Nov. 19, 2021.
3 McLeod C, Ransley E. Huge crowds attend vaccine mandate protests in Sydney and Melbourne. News.com.AU Nov. 27, 2021.
4 Agence France-Presse. Thousands Around Globe Protest COVID-19 Shots, Lockdowns. Voice of America July 24, 2021.
5 Friedersdorf C. Australia Traded Away Too Much Liberty. The Atlantic Sept. 2, 2021.
6 Fisher BL. Biggest Anti-Lockdown Freedom Day Protest Held in Berlin, Germany. The Vaccine Reaction Aug. 3, 2020.
7 Fisher BL. Major Protests in Berlin and London Opposing Forced Masking and Lockdowns. The Vaccine Reaction Aug. 31, 2020.
8 Fisher BL. German Police Fire Water Cannon at Lockdown Protesters and Arrest Hundreds. The Vaccine Reaction Nov. 23, 2020.
9 Fisher BL. Protests Against COVID Lockdowns Flare Up in 2021 Around the World. The Vaccine Reaction Mar. 29, 2021.
10 Fisher BL. Hundreds of Thousands March in London Protesting Pandemic Restrictions, Vaccine Passports. The Vaccine Reaction May 31, 2021.
11 Fisher BL. COVID Vaccine Mandates Strongly Opposed in Europe, U.S. as Vaccine Failures Increase. The Vaccine Reaction Aug. 2, 2021.
12 World Health Organization. Vaccine Equity and WHO, UN set out steps to meet world COVID vaccination targets. WHO News Oct. 7, 2021.
13 Holcombe M. It may take ‘many, many’ more vaccine mandates to end the Covid-19 pandemic, Fauci says. CNN Sept. 13, 2021.
14 McLeod C, Ransley E. Huge crowds attend vaccine mandate protests in Sydney and Melbourne. News.com.AU Nov. 27, 2021.
15 Our World in Data. Share of people vaccinated against COVID-19 (by country). Nov. 28, 2021.
16 Mason J, Parodi E. Europe becomes COVID-19’s epicentre again, some countries look at fresh curbs. Reuters Nov. 12, 2021.
17 Nugent C. Austria’s Plan to Make COVID-19 Vaccines Compulsory is Dividing Citizens – and Experts. Time Magazine Nov. 23, 2021.
18 Jewers C. Seven hurt as Netherlands police fire on anti-lockdown rioters – Anger at Euro Covid restrictions turns increasingly violent as Austria makes vaccine MANDATORY and Germans face ‘Christmas lockdown.Daily Mail Nov. 19, 2021.
19 Associated Press. Protests erupt over COVID rules and lockdowns in Europe. MPR News Nov. 20, 2021.
20 Salo J. Violent protests break out in Europe over vaccine mandates, lockdowns. New York Post Nov. 21, 2021.
21 7News (AU). Thousands of protesters rally against COVID jab mandates in Sydney. Nov. 27, 2021.
22 Johnson S, Boaz J. Thousands of anti-lockdown, vaccine mandate protesters march at COVID rallies across Australia. ABC (AU) Nov. 19, 2021.
23 Casert R, Corer M. EU calls for calm amid violent COVID protests across Europe. Associated Press/Los Angeles Times Nov. 22, 2021.
24 Agence France-Presse. Coronavirus: tens of thousands protest in Austria against Covid vaccine mandate. Nov 28, 2021.
25 Sanderson K. COVID vaccines protect against Delta, but their effectiveness wanes. Nature Aug. 19, 2021.
26 Huzar T. Antibodies from COVID-19 vaccine may reduce by 57% after 6 monthsMedical News Today Nov. 26, 2021.
27 France24. Vaccines reduce Covid transmission by 40%: WHO. Nov. 24, 2021.
28 Reuters. Coronavirus: Tens of thousands protest in Austria against nationwide lockdown. Nov. 20, 2021.
29 Associated Press. Protests erupt over COVID rules and lockdowns in Europe. MPR News Nov. 20, 2021.
30 Agence France-Presse. Coronavirus: tens of thousands protest in Austria against Covid vaccine mandate. Nov 28, 2021.
31 Ibid.
32 Associated Press. Protests erupt over COVID rules and lockdowns in Europe. MPR News Nov. 20, 2021.
33 Pleasance C. ‘Austria is now a dictatorship’: Opposition leader slams government over mandatory vaccine law and brands it ‘unconstitutional’ as Europe’s Covid crisis deepens with Germans told to work from home and expect a Christmas lockdown. Daily Mail Nov 19, 2021.
34 Our World in Data. Share of people vaccinated against COVID-19 (by country). Nov. 28, 2021.
35 Casert R. Tens of Thousands Protest Belgiums Tighter COVID Rules. Associated Press/U.S. News & World Report Nov. 21, 2021.
36 Jewers C. Seven hurt as Netherlands police fire on anti-lockdown rioters – Anger at Euro Covid restrictions turns increasingly violent as Austria makes vaccine MANDATORY and Germans face ‘Christmas lockdown.Daily Mail Nov. 19, 2021.
37 Ibid.
38 Ibid.
39 The New York Times. Demonstrators rally against Italy’s Health Pass. Nov. 20, 2021.
40 Associated Press. Protests erupt over COVID rules and lockdowns in Europe. MPR News Nov. 20, 2021.
41 McLeod C, Ransley E. Huge crowds attend vaccine mandate protests in Sydney and Melbourne. News.com.AU Nov. 27, 2021.

11 Responses

  1. Of course the original mRNA injections are going to fail. That is so they can continue to market endless boosters into eternity as each one will fail also. Other than poisoning people with this garbage, big pharma’s only concern if more and more profit.

  2. and depopulation, the vaccines destroy one’s immune system. leading to AIDS, mass genocide over the next couple of years..

  3. Yes, greed, corruption and depopulation, which is what so many of us has been saying from the beginning of this mess. Now people are beginning to see how extremely suspicious and deceitful these actions are and now want to fight back.

  4. So many are going to be dead in the next few years from the pathogenic spike protein mRNA, the endothelial cells in the capillaries of their vital organs obstructed, causing permanent damage. The depopulation agenda is working perfectly on the lemmings.

  5. Are there even trials being held to prove the efficacy of these shots? I don’t believe there are. AND in some trials the control group has been inoculated so how does that work??

  6. The higher vaccination rate, the more increases covid cases. What they don’t realize is vaccine wanes over time. Why are they having a third booster shot? And what’s the deal of 4th booster shot? CDC is being ridiculous. It’s all about protecting their profit, not health evidently.

  7. It seems to be about depopulation, control of the people, and bringing in a one-world government (“The Great Re-set”). In fact, the “vaccines” may be a precursor to “the mark of the beast” mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Put your trust in God, not in governments. Don’t take the Covid shots and practice peaceful resistance to tyranny.

    See the website “johnleary.com” for messages from Jesus Christ to John Leary, visionary.

  8. now the covid, which before was just a media ghost that haunted the peoples of the earth, is caused by the mRNA vaccine, the covid has become real thanks to vaccines.

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