Australian minister calls anti-racism protests 'self-indulgent' over coronavirus concern

Australians who defied public health rules and rallied in support of the U.S. "Black Lives Matter" movement were reckless and self-indulgent, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told Sky News on Sunday.

Cormann said the protesters risked a second outbreak of the novel coronavirus. "I think it is incredibly selfish," he said. "It's incredibly self-indulgent."

The comment came after over 20,000 people protested in Sydney and other cities on Saturday, in solidarity with U.S. anger over the killing of George Floyd and called for an end to similar deaths among indigenous Australians.

Protests are continuing to unfold in major world cities outside the U.S. to show solidarity and local officials have also voiced similar concerns to Cormann as the coronavirus pandemic is still a threat to the public health.

Asked during an interview on Sky News on Sunday whether the number attending protests made an increase in COVID-19 cases more likely, British health minister Matt Hancock said, "It is undoubtedly a risk."

"I support very strongly the argument that is being made by those who are protesting ... but the virus itself doesn't discriminate and gathering in large groups is temporarily against the rules precisely because it increases the risk of the spread of this virus."

German Health Minister Jens Spahn has also appealed to protesters to "keep your distance, wear a mask, and take care of each other."

"The fight against racism needs our common commitment," he tweeted. "But crowds of people in the middle of the pandemic worry me."

(With input from Reuters)