Easter marches marked by wars | EUROtoday

In many cities, folks took to the streets for Easter marches. The focus was on the wars within the Gaza Strip and Ukraine. Demonstrators known as for a ceasefire, negotiations and a cease to arms deliveries.

This yr once more, folks gathered for Easter marches in quite a few German cities on Holy Saturday. Around 70 occasions have been introduced throughout the nation. Saturday was thought-about the primary day of motion for the standard peace demonstrations, which additionally proceed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

This yr the main target is on the Russian conflict of aggression in opposition to Ukraine and the conflict within the Middle East. A central theme of the marches is the demand for a ceasefire, diplomatic options and an finish to arms deliveries. The demonstrators are additionally calling for nuclear disarmament and criticizing growing arms spending.

The occasions have been accompanied by pressing warnings from high representatives of the federal authorities and the opposition to proceed to assist Ukraine militarily in its defensive wrestle – additionally with a view to German safety pursuits.

Police: 3,500 members in Berlin

In Berlin, the police counted round 3,500 members on Saturday, and 6,000 demonstrators had beforehand been registered with the police. Peace negotiations in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, disarmament and an finish to the controversy concerning the reintroduction of obligatory navy service have been known as for. The name for demonstrations was supported by quite a few teams and associations. The organizers had beforehand differentiated themselves from the best.

The motto of the Easter march was “Fit for war – never again”. According to the dpa information company, a number of members within the demonstration confirmed indicators with inscriptions corresponding to “Friendship with Russia – Viva Palestine” and “Peace with Russia” on Karl-Marx-Allee in Friedrichshain. Others turned in opposition to the federal authorities. In addition to the dove of peace, Palestinian flags and Russian flags is also seen.

At a counter-demonstration, introduced as a substitute Easter march, the Ukraine Alliance Vitsche known as for assist for Ukraine and solidarity with the victims of the Russian conflict of aggression. The motto of the simply over 100 members was “Now more than ever – peace must be defended”.

Rallies in quite a few cities

According to a preliminary overview by the Peace Cooperative Network, greater than 10,000 folks took to the streets nationwide. In Stuttgart there have been round 2,000 folks and in Bremen round 1,000 folks. Around 700 folks took half in Cologne and 500 in Munich. According to the police, not less than 800 members demonstrated in Wiesbaden below the motto “Peace in the Middle East”.

According to the police, round 630 folks got here collectively in Hanover. According to the police, round 150 demonstrators gathered in entrance of the grounds of the arms firm Rheinmetall in Unterlüß in Lower Saxony. Several hundred folks additionally got here to the marches in Duisburg, Saarbrücken, Leipzig and Kassel. The spokesman for the peace cooperative, Kristian Golla, was glad with the variety of members. The quantity is about the identical as final yr, he mentioned.

At the assembly in Cologne, left-wing Bundestag member Kathrin Vogler warned in opposition to a “militarization of society.” They have been shocked by Russia's assault on Ukraine, but it surely was a false impression on the a part of the federal authorities and the Union to consider that “further wars in Europe could be prevented primarily by arming themselves to the maximum.” In the present state of affairs, a coverage that “prepares for peace” is required.

The theologian Margot Käßmann reiterated her name for a diplomatic initiative to finish the conflict in Ukraine. The peace motion is about placing an finish to the killing, mentioned the previous council chairwoman of the Evangelical Church in Germany on Inforadio RBB. Soldiers and civilians would die on this conflict every single day. We shouldn't simply speak about weapons and weapon techniques on a regular basis, however somewhat it needs to be about how this conflict might be ended: “Just more weapons” received't convey peace.

Scholz: “Without justice, no peace”

In a video message at Easter, Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his willingness to assist Ukraine. “We all long for a more peaceful world,” he mentioned. But there isn’t any peace with out justice, “Peace without freedom means oppression.” That is why Germany helps Ukraine “resolutely and prudently” in its battle for a simply peace.

This can also be in Germany's curiosity. Peace in Europe is predicated on the precept that borders shouldn’t be moved by power. The SPD politician known as for German unity and defined: “Especially since we are united by the conviction that the law must prevail against violence.”

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned in opposition to one-sidedness with regard to the Easter marches. The peace rallies ought to ship the message that humanity is indivisible, “everything else is extremely dangerous,” she informed the newspapers of the Funke media group. “People in Israel must not be played off against people in Palestine. And we must not pit our desire for peace against peace in Ukraine.” Ukraine's safety is “ours too,” mentioned the Green politician.

In February 20022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine. Since then, Ukraine has been defending itself in opposition to assaults from its neighboring nation. The conflict within the Gaza Strip is a consequence of the terrorist assault on Israel by the militant Islamist Hamas and different extremist organizations on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli info, the terrorists killed nearly 1,200 folks and kidnapped round 250 others as hostages within the Gaza Strip. Since then, Israel has been combating Hamas within the coastal strip, however this has additionally resulted in quite a few civilian casualties. According to Hamas-controlled authorities, greater than 30,000 folks have been killed. The numbers can’t be independently verified.