UPDATE. Anti-vaxx protesters breach grounds of Romanian Parliament; US, Japanese embassy cars vandalized

Foto: INQUAM/George Călin

Dozens of ant-vaccine protesters on Tuesday breached the perimeter of the Romanian Parliament. Cars belonging to the U.S. and  Japanese embassies were sprayed with paint, Antena 3 reported.

Romanian security officers prevented demonstrators from entering the Parliament.

The incident happened after an estimated 2,000 demonstrators gathered outside the legislature early Tuesday to protest a bid to extend Covid health pass to workplaces.

They yelled “Freedom,” “We’re coming for you” and “Down with the criminals.”

Protesters carried banners calling for lawmakers not to approve a requirement that would make green passes mandatory at work when there is a rise in cases.

The Japanese ambassador was temporarily trapped in the Romanian Parliament by the rowdy protesters, Antena 3 reported. Protesters sprayed paint on the embassy cars, the broadcaster said , showing images.

The U.S. embassy confirmed that one of its cars had been damaged in the melee.

”We will tell Parliament to reject the green pass,” said George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, an anti-vaccine party.  “Now’s the moment to block this foolish certificate and the inhuman restrictions.”

Romania has the European Union’s second-lowest vaccination rate. About 40% of its 19.3 million population is fully vaccinated against the virus according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). That is well lower than the average for the 31 countries in the EU/EEA of 67.3%, Euronews reported.

The government’s proposed legislation says the Covid certificate will be introduced when there is a sustained increase of three consecutive weeks in the number of cases  and scrapped hen the trend goes downwards, the health ministry said.

 

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