German security officials defend inaction at virus protest

BERLIN (AP) — German security officials have defended the decision to let 20,000 people march through the eastern city of Leipzig unhindered in a protest against coronavirus restrictions. Many participants at Saturday’s rally flouted the requirement to wear masks and some right-wing extremists attacked police officers and journalists. A spokesman for Germany’s Interior Minister said Monday that police in Leipzig had decided to pursue a strategy of “de-escalation” in