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Anti-war and antimilitarist movements in Cologne

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2026-08-31 18:10 UTC → 2026-09-06 09:34 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Anti-militarism and anti-war movements in Cologne, Germany, have organized various forms of protest and advocacy. The ‘Rheinmetall entwaffnen’ alliance announced a six-day protest camp scheduled for early September to oppose German and global rearmament. This follows previous unrest where protesters targeted Bundeswehr buildings and the residence of Rheinmetall’s CEO, resulting in violent clashes and injuries to both police and participants. On September 5, approximately 2,000 people participated in a large-scale demonstration marking the conclusion of the ‘Rheinmetall Entwaffnen’ protest camp. Starting at Cologne Cathedral Square, protesters demanded an end to arms deliveries, the abolition of compulsory military service, and a halt to military operations. The atmosphere was described as combative, with participants using slogans such as ‘War against war’ and ‘Disarm Rheinmetall’ to link militarization to the reduction of social welfare. Around 1,000 police officers were deployed to manage the event. Tensions escalated when police cordoned off a smaller group of demonstrators following the reported use of pyrotechnics, following earlier incidents such as the blocking of a Bundeswehr barracks in Cologne-Longerich. Concurrently, the ‘Aufruf 70+’ movement has grown in visibility. Comprising over 200 signatories aged 70 and older, the group uses the historical experiences of those who lived through the Second World War to critique modern political discourse and tensions involving Russia, advocating for an antimilitarist stance.

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