More than 100,000 people protested in Australia, France, Italy and Greece today, sparking clashes with police as they railed against Covid-19 measures and government sanctions against the unvaccinated aimed at prodding more people into getting jabs.
Dozens of protesters were arrested after an unauthorised march in Sydney, with the city's police minister branding those who took part as "morons".
Organisers had dubbed the protest a "freedom" rally. Attendees carried signs and banners reading "Wake up Australia" and "Drain the Swamp".
In France, where police deployed teargas and water cannon against some protesters, an estimated 160,000 took to the streets in nationwide protests against President Emmanuel Macron's health pass that will drastically curtail access to restaurants and public spaces for unvaccinated people.
"Freedom, freedom", chanted demonstrators in France, carrying placards denouncing "Macron, Tyrant", "Big Pharma shackles freedom" or saying "No to the pass of shame".
The demonstrations highlight the conflict globally between people caught between the advice of the World Health Organization and other public health agencies and the need to earn a living - or simply to return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle.
Meanwhile, around 5,000 people demonstrated in Athens, carrying placards touting slogans such as, "Don't touch our children", according to an AFP journalist at the scene.
And in Italy protesters gathered in Rome to demonstrate against a mandatory "green pass" for indoor dining and entertainment.
Earlier in Sydney, demonstrators pelted officers with pot plants and bottles of water as they defied a month-long stay-at-home order, a day after authorities suggested the restrictions could remain in place until October.
New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was "utterly disgusted" by the protesters whose "selfish actions have compromised the safety of all of us".
Police said they issued nearly 100 fines and arrested 57 people.
New South Wales Police Minister David Elliott said a team of detectives would be scouring footage to identify and charge as many people as possible in the coming days.
"Sydney isn't immune from morons," he said.
In Melbourne, meanwhile, six people were arrested, police said.
Iceland reimposes Covid restrictions after cases surge
Iceland, one of the first nations in the world to lift all Covid restrictions for vaccinated tourists, has announced new curbs following a spate of infections.
At the end of June, Iceland lifted rules around social distancing, mask-wearing, limits on public gatherings and the opening hours of bars and restaurants after introducing virus restrictions in March last year.
Starting from midnight on Sunday until 13 August, public gatherings will be restricted to 200, the one-metre social distancing rule will be reimposed and bars and restaurants will have to close at 11pm.
Swimming pools and indoor sports facilities can only operate to 75% of capacity and masks will be mandatory indoors.
Although over 85% of the population above 16 have received two vaccine doses, Iceland has seen infections spurt with 355 new cases since July 12.
The majority of cases are due to the Delta variant.
Iceland will resume restrictions at its borders, requiring a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old for travellers who are fully vaccinated.
