Cardboard figures labelled with names were set up in the town of Greiz in the eastern part of the state of Thuringia to represent participants in an anti-protest event dubbed “Greiz turns up the heat.”

The participants did not want to take to the streets themselves in order to keep the risk of infection low.

A spokeswoman for the event said on Saturday evening that participants wanted to give a voice to all those who regretted that protests were going on and had up to now not had a chance to voice their opposition.

“Without the coronavirus we would celebrate together!” was written on another banner, “Greiz has charm” and “Greiz is nice” on other signs.

From 7 pm (1800 GMT) onwards, Christmas carols were played from rooftops in the city for half an hour – to “counteract helplessness and not to have to watch powerlessly any longer.”

The action’s website says: “We are appalled that violence and hatred are carried through our streets with torches and firecrackers. We are disturbed when hospital workers do not come to their workplace to help people.”

Last Saturday evening, up to 1,000 people took to the streets of Greiz, according to police, including violent right-wing extremists from Thuringia and surrounding states.

Violence broke out during the protest, which was publicized on social media, and 14 police officers were injured.

The police had now prepared for possible larger illegal gatherings of opponents of the anti-coronavirus measures.

A bridge where the situation had recently come to a head was cordoned off extensively by officers from Thuringia, Berlin and the federal police. A water cannon was also on standby.