Christof Bolay, Mayor of the city of Ostfildern, Germany, issued a new general decree on January 26th that prohibits the assemblies of anti-vaccine and anti-mandate protestors, and took effect on January 28th.
The edict includes the ability for law enforcement to use physical weapons to end any dissention.
The official order reads,
In order to ensure that the ban on assembly is observed, the use of direct coercion, i.e. the influence on people through simple physical violence, means of physical violence or the use of weapons is threatened. After weighing up the conflicting interests, this is proportionate. It is necessary because there are no apparent less stringent means that would discourage potential gathering participants from conducting the prohibited gatherings. In particular, the threat of a penalty payment under Section 23 of the State Administration Enforcement Act would not be equally effective.
The threat of direct coercion is appropriate since the negative effects for the person concerned are not recognizable out of proportion to the protected physical integrity of the passers-by and other participants in the meeting. It is not ignored that the direct coercion order constitutes a significant encroachment on the freedom of assembly of those affected. However, because of the significant threat to the physical integrity of a large number of people, these disadvantages are not out of proportion.
The general decree is condensed into 5 points:
- “Participation in all open-air public gatherings in the district of Ostfildern, which are related to general calls for “evening walks”, “Monday walks” or “walks”, are not indicated and are directed against the provisions of the Corona Ordinance, is prohibited every day of the week.
- “In the event of non-compliance with the prohibition under number 1, the application is threatened with direct coercion.
- “The immediate execution of paragraph 1 of this general decree is ordered in the special public interest according to § 80 paragraph 2 sentence 1 number 4 of the Administrative Court Code.
- “According to § 41 paragraph 4 of the State Administrative Procedure Act, this general decree is deemed to have been announced on the day after the public announcement.
- “The general decree will expire at the end of February 28, 2022, unless it is revoked beforehand.”
There are others in the government who are also in favor of the new edict:
The demonstrations are increasing, [but] what is increasing above all is the increased participation of right-wing extremists.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, in response to the protests
Faeser compared these protests as “rebellion against the state.”
Decent citizens do not take part in prohibited demonstrations. They also follow police requests and abide by the rules.
Thomas Strobl, interior minister of Baden-Wurttemberg, where Ostfildern is located.
On the flipside, other politicians are opposed to the move:
Of course, it is part of the freedom of expression and assembly that opponents of [Covid] measures and critics of compulsory vaccination can demonstrate.
Bavaria Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, who warned to take caution and not lump protests and protestors in the same basket.
Read more about it here:
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
[12] When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. [15] As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. [28] When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.Proverbs 28:12, 15, 28
While other parts of Europe are temporarily scaling back their mandates, Germany is keeping the pressure on, and are making it clear, that, you must obey the new Reich 2.0, while pretending to condemn it in the media.
For the Germans, and for others reading in other nations, your best bet moving forward maybe to keep quiet. When Christianity began to grow in the early first centuries, many churches were “underground:” fellowship and worship could not be done in the open or in obvious places, where the Romans could have found them and rounded them up. Now is not the time to “be bold:” be wise. “… Though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3b).
[12] For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. [13] Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. [14] Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Amos 5:12-14
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Well I suppose, once a tyranical government, always a tyranical government. Praying for the brethren in Germany.
Amen.