Protest against conscription and rearmament at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Hundreds of mainly young people demonstrated in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin against possible conscription and military buildup. The police estimated the number of participants in the early evening at around 2,000. The protest was called by the “Unforcible – no desire for war and conscription” alliance.

The head of the satirical party Diepartei and EU parliamentarian Martin Sonneborn as well as various musicians appeared on the stage in front of the Berlin landmark. Later in the evening there was also a performance by the Berlin hip-hop band K.I.Z. expected.

“Young people don’t want to do compulsory military service. They don't want to learn how to kill people. That's why we're protesting against the federal government's plans," says the alliance's appeal.

The background is the law on the new military service, which came into force in January. The core is the mandatory muster for young men born in 2008 and above. This is intended to recruit volunteers to expand the force. If the target corridors are not met, the Bundestag can decide on compulsory military service. The Bundestag suspended compulsory military service in 2011.