Berlin (dpa) – With thumping beats and blaring bass, several boats joined a demonstration along a canal that passes through Kreuzberg and Neukoelln – Berlin districts known for their nightlife – on Sunday, calling for more freedom to party.

Berlin, known worldwide for its rich nightlife culture before the pandemic banned large indoor dance events due the arrival of the coronavirus. As of Friday, Berlin clubs have been allowed to stage parties – outside – the first time they have been able to do so in months.

However, organizers of the protest argue that restaurants, pubs and music venues have been afforded more opportunities to welcome back customers, while clubs and non-commercial dance events are more strictly regulated.

The city’s “dance ban” has also pushed teens and young adults to illegal raves in parks and industrial sites, organizers say.

Police said they counted about 150 participants in the afternoon, mostly wearing face masks and observing coronavirus restrictions, as onlookers danced along on the banks, others joined the protest on rubber dinghies.