A demonstration against Ukraine’s arms supply to war with Russia gathered 10,000 people on Saturday (25), drawing criticism from senior German officials and a large police presence to maintain order.
Organized by a prominent left-wing German politician, the protest came a day after the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which drew promises of more weapons from Western allies, new sanctions against Russia and demonstrations of support for Kiev. In the whole world.
“We call on the German Chancellor to stop the escalation of arms deliveries. Now!… Because every day lost costs up to 1,000 more lives — and brings us closer to World War III,” protest organizers said on their website.
The “Peace Uprising” was partly organized by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of Germany’s left-wing party Die Linke.
Germany, alongside the United States, has been one of Ukraine’s biggest arms suppliers.
“Negotiate, don’t get worse” was a sign held up by one protester, while another in the crowd read “It’s not our war”.
A police spokesman said 10,000 people had gathered around the symbolic Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin.
Police deployed 1,400 officers to keep the peace and enforce a ban on military uniforms, Russian and Soviet flags, Russian military songs and right-wing symbols.
A police spokesman said there was no sign of right-wing groups present and the protest, which German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said was “clearly contrary”, was peaceful.
“Anyone who doesn’t support Ukraine is on the wrong side of history,” Lindner said on Twitter.
Source: CNN Brasil
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