Easter Marches – Debate on the attitude of the peace movement to the war in Ukraine

The spokesman for the organizing network Friedenskooperative, Golla, explained that demands for peace and disarmament are more relevant than ever. According to him, around 80 protests had been announced, including in smaller towns.

According to police estimates, around 1,200 people came together in Bremen and Berlin and more than 500 demonstrators in Hanover. In Duisburg and Cologne, too, hundreds of demonstrators took part in kick-off events for the three-day Rhine-Ruhr Easter March.

“Alternative Easter March” in Berlin

Several hundred people gathered in Berlin to protest against the war in Ukraine parallel to the traditional Easter march. The alternative event was explicitly directed against Russian wars of aggression and emphasized Ukraine’s right to self-defense. Participants’ banners read, for example: “Heavy weapons now”.

debate on pacifism

Against the background of the war in Ukraine, German politicians are debating the attitude of the peace movement to the events. Vice Chancellor Habeck asked the participants to send a clear message to Russia. There can only be peace if Putin stops his war of aggression, said the Green Party politician. Former Bundestag President Thierse warned against pacifism at the expense of others. According to the SPD politician, the motto of the Easter marches “Create peace without weapons” is currently an arrogance towards the people of Ukraine. The FDP politician Lambsdorff described the organizers of the traditional Easter marches as representatives of the Russian position.

The spokesman for the Peace Cooperative Network, Golla, spoke of these statements as polemics and emphasized that the calls for the Easter marches condemned the Russian war of aggression as a crime contrary to international law. Former EKD Chairwoman Käßmann defended the peace demonstrations. It is not fair to accuse people who have been working for peace for decades of being on the side of Russia, the theologian told broadcaster NDR Info. From their point of view, more arms deliveries would not lead to an end to the war. On the contrary: It could even escalate further.

Easter marches today too

More meetings are taking place today. The Rhine-Ruhr Easter March stops in Essen. Other events will take place in Neuruppin and Frankfurt/Oder, among others. Since Thursday, people have been taking to the streets in numerous cities for peace and disarmament.

The Easter marches end tomorrow, Monday. According to the organizers, tens of thousands of people could have taken part in the nationwide peace rallies by then.

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