Berlin, May 17 (RHC)-- Thousands took to the streets in Germany in a growing wave of demonstrations that has alarmed even Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Huge numbers of anti-lockdown protesters, conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers or extremists massed across Germany, with more than 5,000 gathering in Stuttgart, at least 1,500 in Frankfurt and around 1,000 in Munich.  "Corona is fake," claimed one poster held aloft in Stuttgart.  "Isolation, Masks, Tracking, Vaccine - that's a no go," cried another.

Police in Berlin made 200 arrests as scuffles broke out, while in Hamburg, conspiracy theorists clashed with anti-lockdown protesters.

A recent poll commissioned by the Spiegel news magazine found that almost one in four Germans surveyed voiced "understanding" for the demonstrations.