Claims included a denial that there was a pandemic.
Keystone / Anthony Anex
Some 3,000 people opposed to the Swiss government’s anti-coronavirus measures gathered near Bern on Friday in a peaceful protest that had been authorised by the city authorities. Police were present but did not intervene.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
Speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Junior, nephew of the former US president of the same name whose radical anti-vaccination views have led part of his family to distance themselves from him. He called Switzerland the last bastion of democracy and urged its citizens to reject the government’s Covid law, which will be put to a popular vote on November 28.
They also included organic farmer and Zurich local MP Urs Hans who told the crowd “there has never been a pandemic”, to which they chanted “Freedom!”
The coronavirus situation in Switzerland has worsened since the onset of winter, with nearly 4,000 new cases, seven deaths and 68 people hospitalized in the last 24 hours, according to the Federal Office of Public Health. About 65% of the population is now fully vaccinated.
Public protests against government anti-Covid restrictions have continued especially since the Covid certificate was extended in September to indoor spaces such as bars and restaurants.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
This content was published on
A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.
More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
This content was published on
A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Swiss accident prevention group sees federal targets at risk
This content was published on
The Swiss government's target for accident figures is at risk, reckons Mario Cavegn, member of the executive board of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.
Feminicide: Swiss justice minister calls for electronic monitoring
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans has called for electronic monitoring and an ankle bracelet warning system for perpetrators of violence against women.
This content was published on
American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Covid protest draws thousands to Swiss capital
This content was published on
Several thousand people have gathered in Bern for the latest rally of opponents of government measures to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bern to get tougher on unauthorised Covid protesters
This content was published on
Participants in often violent, unauthorised weekly protests in Bern against Covid measures will now have to pay for the cost of police operations.
Hundreds gather in Zurich to protest against Covid-19 measures
This content was published on
Opponents of anti-Covid-19 measures and a law on vaccination certificates marched into the city on Saturday, as did counter-demonstrators.
This content was published on
More than 1,000 people demonstrated against extending the use of the Covid certificate in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Wednesday evening.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.