Germany: Controversial 'spying law' sparks protest in front of Reichstag

Activists placed hundreds of signs in front of the Reichstag in Berlin, Friday, in a protest over a law that is meant to reform the Federal Intelligence Service's (BND) legal foundation and extend its scope of activities.
Organised by the 'digitalcourage' association, the protest was meant to give voice to those who were not able to attend similar demonstrations in recent days. The protesters displayed their messages with signs in front of the parliament. The signs featured slogans reading "I am not an ID number", "The NSA scandal is meant to be a lesson, not a role model", and "Go home, [intelligence] service," among other messages
German legislators will decide later in the day on whether or not to pass the bill. The activists criticise the draft law for enabling the BND to legally spy on German citizens including journalists, lawyers, whistle-blowers and activists, and thus infringing fundamental rights.
On Thursday, various human rights organizations including Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International, and Germany's Digital Society, handed over petitions containing around 20,000 signatures against the law to the German Parliament in a bid to block the initiative.