https://sanitaetskollektiv-leipzig.de/news/
This Saturday, May 10, 2025, the Leipzig Medical Collective provided medical support for the "Leipzig 2025 Lying Demo" gathering on the occasion of ME/CFS Awareness Day. Around 250 participants gathered to raise awareness of the situation and lack of care for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
Our team, consisting of seven dedicated demonstration paramedics divided into two teams, accompanied the event from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This included the opening rally on Augustusplatz, the subsequent march along Grimmaische Straße, and the closing rally on Leipzig's market square. The demonstration itself, which also included many people with, in some cases, serious chronic illnesses, was pleasingly calm and required hardly any medical intervention from our side.
Unfortunately, a shocking and violent incident occurred on the sidelines of the gathering. Participants in the prone demonstration were unexpectedly and physically attacked by counter-demonstrators, presumably affiliated with the Querdenker movement. Several people were injured in the resulting physical altercation. Fortunately, a Leipzig police patrol that happened to be present was able to bring the attackers under control and secure the area, allowing our emergency services to immediately attend to the injured and provide appropriate first aid.
This attack was apparently only possible because the responsible police authority failed to provide security for the gathering. Police forces were only dispatched after repeated and urgent telephone requests from the assembly organizers – at a time when the situation had already escalated. Unfortunately, there was also no police security for the procession in public spaces. This led to several cars almost driving into the demonstration, which was only prevented by the courageous intervention of the stewards and our demonstration paramedics. We hope that these incidents will be thoroughly investigated as part of the ongoing investigation, and that future gatherings will receive the necessary and appropriate protection from the responsible authorities to reduce the likelihood of such incidents in the future.
Overall, our teams provided medical care to a mid-single-digit number of patients today. We are pleased to report that, despite the stressful circumstances and the violent altercation, all of the people we cared for are now well or at least on the road to recovery. Fortunately, none of the injuries were so serious that emergency services were required.
The Leipzig Medical Collective wishes all those affected a speedy and full recovery and will be happy to provide medical support again at the next meeting.