- The protest against supplying Ukraine drew 10,000 people on Saturday.
- The rally was organized by a famous left-wing German lawmaker.
- Germany, along with the United States, has been one of Ukraine’s primary military suppliers.
A protest against supplying Ukraine with weaponry for conflict with Russia drew 10,000 people on Saturday, sparking criticism from top German government officials and a significant police presence to keep calm.
The rally, organized by a famous left-wing German lawmaker, comes a day after the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which garnered promises of more armaments from Western partners, new sanctions against Russia, and global support for Kyiv.
“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 a 3rd world war,” the protest’s organizers said on their website.
The “Uprising for Peace” was organized in part by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of Germany’s left-wing Die Linke party.
Germany, along with the United States, has been one of Ukraine’s primary military suppliers.
“Negotiate, not escalate,” one sign held by a demonstrator said, while a banner in the crowd read “Not our war”.
According to a police spokesperson, 10,000 protesters gathered in central Berlin surrounding Germany’s symbolic Brandenburg Gate.
Authorities deployed 1,400 officers to maintain order and enforce bans on military outfits, Russian and Soviet flags, Russian military music, and right-wing symbols.
According to a police spokesperson, no right-wing groups were present, and the protest, which German Finance Minister Christian Lindner stated must be “clearly opposed,” was calm.
“Whoever does not stand by Ukraine is on the wrong side of history,” Lindner said on Twitter.
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