Protesters across Europe march against controls

Thousands of people gathered in European capitals Saturday to protest vaccine passports and other requirements governments have imposed in hopes of ending the coronavirus pandemic.

Demonstrations took place in Athens, Helsinki, London, Paris and Stockholm.

Marches in Paris drew demonstrators protesting a new COVID-19 pass that takes effect Monday. It will severely restrict the lives of those who refuse to get vaccinated by banning them from domestic flights, sports events, bars, theaters and other leisure venues. Similar rallies took place in other French cities.

In Sweden, where vaccine certificates are required to attend indoor events with more than 50 people, some 3,000 demonstrators marched though central Stockholm and assembled in a main square for a protest organized by the Frihetsrorelsen — or Freedom Movement.

A similar demonstration with 1,000 participants was held also in Goteborg, Sweden’s second-largest city.

The Finnish government authorized local and regional authorities just before Christmas to introduce “extensive and full measures” in response to rising virus cases involving the omicron variant. The restrictions included limiting or prohibiting events, moving university classes online, limiting restaurant service and closing venues where people have a higher risk of exposure.

Police said some 4,000 people marched Saturday through the streets of central Helsinki to protest. A group called

World Wide Demonstration organized the demonstration.

Police officers patrol in London’s Parliament Square during a demonstration protesting vaccination requirements and other coronavirus restrictions imposed in Britain.

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