In the afternoon the demonstration was overshadowed by some skirmishes. the police used pepper spray on individuals. After that, however, as far as was known, the protest was peaceful.
The main criticism of the demonstrators was directed against the compulsory vaccination. During the afternoon, the participants circled the entire ring. After some of them had left at 2 p.m. from Heldenplatz and Maria-Theresien-Platz, they returned to Heldenplatz in the evening after 6 p.m.
So far, the police have spoken of 40,000 demonstration participants, some observers estimate that there will be more in the end. After all, 44,000 people came to the last major demo in December, and the demo on January 8th was, according to general estimates, even bigger.
The mood was mostly relaxed and calm.
Towards the end there was something like a folk festival and party atmosphere. Fireworks were set off. In view of the cold, some demonstrators tried to keep themselves moving with music.
The organizers have declared the demonstration over.
