Germany’s Peace Movement Grapples with Division Amidst Easter Marches

This easter weekend,Germany witnessed the annual Easter Marches,a tradition of peace activism.However, this year’s events highlighted a significant rift within the peace movement, notably concerning approaches to international conflicts and political affiliations. While thousands participated across the country, differing viewpoints on issues like the war in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict created visible divisions.

NRW Marches: Divergent Paths to Peace

In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Easter Marches took place in Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Duisburg. A notable split emerged, with the Düsseldorf march perceived by some as representing a more “controversial” segment of the peace movement, while the Cologne and Duisburg events were seen as more aligned with mainstream peace initiatives.This divergence led to separate groups traveling from Aachen to participate in different rallies, underscoring the fractured nature of the movement.

Düsseldorf Rally: Criticism of NATO and Arms Deliveries

The Düsseldorf rally, organized by the Friedensforum Düsseldorf, drew approximately 700 participants. Speakers included former Mayor Thomas Geisel, now affiliated with the BSW, and representatives from various groups, including the palestinian Allianz NRW, the Assange group Düsseldorf, the DKP, the alliance Sahra Wagenknecht, the German-Palestinic Society, the SDAJ (Socialist german Workers’ Youth) and the newly founded socialist party Mera25. A key theme was opposition to arms deliveries to Ukraine,criticism of NATO’s actions,and skepticism towards mainstream media narratives about Russia. participants vehemently rejected claims that Russia intends to wage war against Europe or Germany.

It is indeed frequent that the Federal government is now delivering tanks to Ukraine, where the grandfathers once stood.
Thomas Geisel, former Mayor of Düsseldorf

The rally also featured criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, reflecting the diverse range of concerns within the Düsseldorf contingent.

Exclusion and Controversy: The “Evil” Peace Movement?

Felicitas Rabe reports on the exclusion of the left-wing Düsseldorf Easter March from the NRW-Ostermarsch network. The Düsseldorf march has faced marginalization due to the participation of individuals who also protested against COVID-19 measures.critics have labeled these participants as right-wing or even “Nazis,” highlighting the deep divisions and accusations within the broader peace movement. This raises questions about inclusivity and the criteria for participation in peace initiatives.

Cologne and Aachen: Parallel Actions for Peace

While the Düsseldorf march focused on specific geopolitical criticisms, other actions took place in Cologne and Aachen. The Anti-War alliance Aachen encouraged participation in the Cologne Easter March.In Aachen, a picket line of approximately 60 people protested the Gaza War in the city center, demonstrating with signs between the ball fountain and the Elisenbrunnen. These actions, while smaller in scale, represent a continued commitment to peace activism on a local level.

The Broader Context: A Shifting Landscape for Peace Activism

The divisions within the German peace movement reflect a broader trend of fragmentation in political discourse. The rise of social media and option news sources has created echo chambers, making it more arduous for different factions to find common ground. Furthermore, the increasing polarization of political views, particularly concerning international conflicts, has exacerbated existing tensions within the movement. As global tensions continue to rise, the ability of the peace movement to overcome these divisions will be crucial in advocating for peaceful solutions.

Fractures Emerge Within German Peace Activism

The German peace movement is currently facing internal strife, marked by exclusions and disagreements over strategy, even as calls for broader alliances grow louder. This division comes at a critical juncture, with rising geopolitical tensions and increased military spending fueling concerns among activists.

exclusion of Critics and Shifting Alliances

Recent events highlight the growing rifts. The Düsseldorf Ostermarsch, a conventional Easter peace march, was excluded from the Rhein-Ruhr network due to the invitation of Michael Aggelidis, a lawyer and peace activist, as a speaker. Aggelidis, formerly associated with the Left Party, is now involved with the NRW Base Party and the NRW peace alliance, which emerged from initiatives opposing COVID-19 measures. This exclusion underscores the tensions between different factions within the movement.

Hermann Kopp, a spokesperson for the Düsseldorf Peace forum, lamented the splitting of the peace movement, a trend he says has been ongoing for years.

Voices from the Movement: Calls for Unity and Condemnation of War

Despite the divisions, many within the peace movement are advocating for unity and a broader alliance against what they perceive as escalating militarization. At a recent rally,Alina from the Socialist German Workers’ Youth (SDAJ) emphasized the need to overcome divisions and forge a united front.

We must not let ourselves split. everyone who is honest for peace must pull together if we want to achieve something. We have to forge broad alliances again, combine peace forces wherever possible and get as many people as possible on the streets.
Alina, Socialist German Workers’ Youth (SDAJ)

Alina also criticized the justification for military renovation based on the conflict in Ukraine, arguing that NATO, not Russia, initiated the war by seeking to integrate Ukraine into its sphere of influence. This outlook reflects a common sentiment among some factions of the peace movement.

concerns Over government Policy and Armaments

Several speakers voiced strong criticism of the German government’s policies. Shabnan shariatpanahi, from the committee against the ban on the fight against the ban on the Palestine Solidarity Duisburg (PSDU), condemned the German armaments industry, particularly Rheinmetall, for profiting from global conflicts. She highlighted the fact that the Federal Government has recently concluded armaments deals of 300 million euros alone with Israel.

Michael Aggelidis, the lawyer whose invitation led to the Düsseldorf Ostermarsch’s exclusion, argued that the government is circumventing the Basic Law and “openly hallucinating a war against Russia,” possibly endangering the German population. He also expressed concern over the decline of German infrastructure and the middle class, suggesting a intentional dismantling of the country.

the Palestinian perspective and Accusations of Dehumanization

The ongoing Israeli-palestinian conflict remains a significant point of contention. Wa’el jaber, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Allianz, described Israeli actions towards Palestinians as dehumanizing, stating that ignoring or relativizing their suffering constitutes dehumanization. Jaber suggested that Germany should not engage with the current Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he considers responsible for this suffering.

If the suffering of a people ignores, relativized or as ‘self -indebted’ – then dehumanization is. Germany should not face the convicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government, which are responsible for this suffering.
Wa’el Jaber, Palestinian Allianz

Youth Concerns and the Specter of Conscription

The economic anxieties of young people are also fueling discontent. Alina from SDAJ highlighted the increasing pressures faced by young people, including rising rents, food prices, and limited training opportunities. She criticized discussions about reintroducing conscription, arguing that young people are being positioned as “cannon fodder” for the profits of the armaments industry.

Looking Ahead: can the Peace Movement Reconcile?

The future of the German peace movement hinges on its ability to bridge these internal divisions and forge a united front. The challenges are significant, with disagreements over strategy, political affiliations, and historical interpretations. Though, the shared goal of promoting peace and preventing further escalation of conflicts may provide a basis for reconciliation and renewed activism.The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the movement can overcome its internal strife and effectively advocate for its goals.

Fractured Alliances: The Düsseldorf Peace Forum’s contentious Position

The Düsseldorf Peace Forum finds itself at the center of a heated debate, excluded from the Rhein-Ruhr Easter march network due to concerns over its association with the “NRW peace alliance” and alleged cooperation with right-wing elements. This exclusion highlights the growing polarization within peace movements and the challenges of maintaining unity amidst ideological differences.

The “Oathers” Controversy and Allegations of Nazi Collaboration

A key point of contention revolves around the “NRW peace alliance,” which some critics have labeled as right-leaning, particularly due to its opposition to COVID-19 measures. The rhein-Ruhr-Friedensmovung has expressed concerns that the “oathers” within the alliance might potentially be cooperating with individuals holding Nazi ideologies. This accusation has created a significant rift, making collaboration difficult.

DFG-VK’s Stance: A Condition for Re-inclusion

The German Peace Society-association of War Opponents (DFG-VK), a prominent peace association, played a pivotal role in the exclusion.They proposed that the Düsseldorf peace Forum only be re-admitted into the Easter March network if specific spokespersons associated with the NRW peace alliance were barred from speaking at the event. These individuals included Michael Aggelidis, Jürgen Schütte, and Mona Aramea.

The DFG-VK demanded that the Düsseldorf Peace forum exclude certain speakers linked to the NRW peace alliance as a condition for re-inclusion in the Easter March network.

Rejection of Conditions and Continued Exclusion

Despite a majority within the Rhein-Ruhr peace assembly favoring the re-inclusion of the peace Forum, the DFG-VK’s full-time organizers reportedly refused to comply with this decision. Consequently, the Düsseldorf Peace Forum remains excluded from joint promotional materials, including flyers and the official website of the Ostermärsche Rhein-Ruhr. Furthermore,the Network Peace Cooperative,a national listing of Easter marches,has also omitted the Düsseldorf event.

Historical Parallels: Exclusion and Political Affiliations

The situation echoes past instances of political exclusion. Herrmann Kopp, a communist figure, draws parallels to his own experiences with the West German radical decree, which barred communists from public sector employment. Kopp, a trained teacher of German and history, was unable to work in public schools due to his political affiliations. This historical context underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals and groups perceived as ideologically divergent.

Communist Herrmann Kopp, familiar with exclusion, faced similar challenges during the west German radical decree.

The Broader Context: Polarization Within Peace Movements

This controversy reflects a broader trend of increasing polarization within peace movements globally. Disagreements over political strategies, ideological purity, and alliances with other groups are creating divisions and hindering collective action. According to a recent study by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution,ideological fragmentation is a significant obstacle to the effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts. The Düsseldorf Peace Forum’s exclusion serves as a stark reminder of these challenges.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Düsseldorf Peace Forum

The future of the Düsseldorf Peace Forum within the Rhein-ruhr Easter March network remains uncertain. Whether the organization can bridge the ideological divide and address concerns about its associations with right-wing elements will determine its ability to regain acceptance within the broader peace movement. The situation highlights the importance of open dialog, mutual understanding, and a commitment to shared goals in overcoming political divisions.