The “Never Again War” initiative called for two nationwide demonstrations in Berlin and Stuttgart last Saturday. Tens of thousands followed the call and took to the streets under the slogan “No to increased armament, conscription and war”. In Stuttgart, the involvement of the BSW led to a disruptive operation and subsequent police violence.

Last Saturday, on German Unity Day, there were two nationwide demonstrations by the initiative “Never again war" took place. 15,000 people took part in Stuttgart and 20,000 in the capital Berlin, according to the initiative's own information. After a week earlier, a total of over 40,000 students in dozens of cities had gone on strike again against the forced drafts and planned conscription, yesterday's demos were characterized by the fact that many older people also took part.

CalledThe demonstration became under the slogan “No to increased armament, conscription & war”. The call is against a direct war with Russia. In addition, social cuts as well as the militarization of the healthcare system, the likely reintroduction of compulsory military service, the ever-increasing spending on the military and the restriction of democratic rights by the police and secret services are critically highlighted. Israel's genocide in Gaza, as well as the state's generally expansive policy in the region and Germany's support for it, were also denounced.

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Against capital and conscription

The two demonstrations started at the same time at 1 p.m., in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate and in Stuttgart at Schlossplatz. In Berlin, the demonstration ran through the government district and ended with a rally at March 18th Square. During the procession through the government district, the demonstrators made it clear with slogans such as “Thyssen, Daimler, Deutsche Bank – the main enemy is in their own country” and “In every war, in every country, Deutsche Bank ultimately deserves the money” that for them the enemies that need to be fought do not primarily come from abroad.

Many young people also took part in the protest and particularly emphasized their rejection of compulsory military service and impending conscription. In a speech, a spokeswoman spoke about the compulsory muster-outs that are already taking place, although they were only planned from the beginning of next year. She declared that “this state doesn’t care about our interests.” She added: “And that doesn’t just become apparent in a war, but now.” Central slogans that were chanted again and again by the young people included “Never, never, never again compulsory military service”, “Bundeswehr out of schools” and “The rich want war, the young want a future”.

In Stuttgart, a so-called “die-in” by activists from the socialist organization International Youth took place at the starting rally. They lay on the ground to convey that war and conscription would mean death for many young people and to take a stand against it.

Disruptive action against the BSW in Stuttgart

The alliance that called for both demonstrations is characterized by a very wide range of organizations. This caused some controversy and a disruptive action against the BSW in Stuttgart. At the beginning of October, the BSW changed from “Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht” to “Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason”.renamed.

The party has always stood out from established German parties by positioning itself, in particular, against the war in Ukraine and for the end of sanctions against Russia. The behavior of the BSW is currently causing controversy in the new state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt. There the BSW could help the AfD gain a government majority.

Against rearmament and social cuts - thousands protest on Anti-War Day

In this context, activists from the “Open Meeting Against War and Militarization” (OTKM) stormed the stage in Stuttgart shortly before the speech by Sevim Dağdelen (BSW) in order to prevent it. In a statementInstagramThey later explained that they considered it the wrong path for the anti-militarist movement to seek solidarity with the AfD.

"The BSW is trying to steadily gain a foothold in the anti-war movement. It expresses justified criticism of NATO, arms deliveries and rearmament. This criticism is necessary. At the same time, the BSW also builds a bridge into right-wing milieus. Sevim Dağdelen also spoke in an exemplary manner of "uncontrolled immigration" and the demand for a "realistic" asylum policy."

Police use pepper spray

Most of the activists were stopped during this disruption. Those who made it onto the stage were pushed to the ground and taken away by the police a short time later. Parts of the spontaneous demonstration that opposed this police violence were met with even more police violence.

Those involved in the demonstration reported to Perspective Online that the police immediately and without hesitation used large amounts of pepper spray against the demonstrators. The emergency services are also said to have beaten and pushed protesters. In total, over a dozen people were injured. Many of them are juvenile.

The postTens of thousands at nationwide peace demonstrations in Berlin and Stuttgartappeared firstperspective.