Coronavirus conspiracy theories about mind control chips, Bill Gates and face masks fuel lockdown protests in Germany

A celebrity cook who called the coronavirus a government trick to plant mind control chips into Germans under the guise of vaccinations was hauled away by police from an unlawful demonstration in front of the parliament building. A pop star attacked face mask requirements and demanded evidence that Covid-19 really exists, while a leading Roman Catholic Cardinal in Germany added his name to a letter claiming the pandemic was a pretext to create a global government.

Prominent supporters of conspiracy theories are focusing on the Covid-19 shutdown that has crippled economies around the world, with angry protests against government-imposed limits on freedoms erupting across the country in the past week, despite rules banning such gatherings.

Police and journalists have also been injured in spasms of violent outbursts at the at-times unruly demonstrations. There are growing fears that the eclectic groups could exacerbate doubts about democracy in Germany by capitalising on the turmoil of the coronavirus.

Steffen Seibert, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman, lashed out at the conspiracy theorists who have been gaining adherents in Germany at a news conference in Berlin – many of whom believe the government would make a future anti-Covid-19 inoculation compulsory in a country deeply suspicious of such vaccinations. He noted on Monday that peaceful demonstrations during these times were a welcome outlet for people to express their different opinion.

“But it’s an entirely different story to spread abstruse claims, hateful stereotypes or theories seeking a scapegoat for global villains,” Seibert said. “Anyone spreading these cooked-up conspiracy theories only wants to cause divisions in our country and pit people against each other. Those attacking police officers or journalists won’t be able to hide behind free speech protections.”