Berlin hosts massive anti-conscription rally amid controversy over BSW's involvement
A large anti-conscription demonstration took place at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, drawing support from school-strike activists and left-wing groups.
Berlin saw a major protest at the Brandenburg Gate opposing the reinstatement of conscription and the German armed forces' recent mandatory draft procedures. The event was coordinated by the school-strike campaign, which highlighted the need for a wide-reaching social movement and used concerts by K.I.Z., Disarstar and Apsilon to attract participants. Peace organisations, including the Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft - Vereinigte Kriegsdienstverweiger:innen, Medico International, and Sea Watch, as well as Israeli war-objectors, were scheduled to address the crowd.
The demonstration sparked debate within the left, as the involvement of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) was condemned by politicians such as Katharina König-Preuss, who warned against aligning with a party that supports the AfD. Left deputies Sören Pellmann and Özlem Demirel emphasized that participation does not require agreement with every participant’s politics, while stressing the need to keep peace activism free from extremist influence.
