Young people from Kassel demand: Never again compulsory military service – peaceful protest today!

Young people from Kassel demand: Never again compulsory military service – peaceful protest today!

On December 5, 2025, over 1,200 young people gathered in Kassel to protest against the newly passed military service law. The reason for the demonstration, which was held under the motto “Never, never, never again, compulsory military service!” took place is the planned reintroduction of compulsory military service in Germany, which is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2026. According to police, the majority of participants were under the age of 18, highlighting the urgency and concern among youth about the upcoming changes. Loud HNA The organizers, an alliance of various youth organizations, have called for a nationwide “school strike against conscription”.

The demonstration in Kassel started around 12 p.m. Protesters carried banners with slogans such as “Too young to die, old enough to demonstrate” as they marched towards Königsplatz. An 18-year-old participant, Marius Kruse, expressed his outrage at the Bundeswehr's presence in schools and explained how the current changes to the law would place a great burden on many young men. “I don’t feel like doing military service,” said a 16-year-old, referring to the impact the requirement could have on her brother.

Resistance in over 90 cities

However, the wave of protests was not just limited to Kassel. Schoolchildren took to the streets in over 90 cities across Germany. The German Teachers' Association has pointed out that school strikes are not legally recognized, but support from young people remains strong. “We don’t want to end up as cannon fodder,” was one of the protest slogans that expressed dissatisfaction with conscription. This new regulation forces all 18-year-old men to undergo military service, while many young people are concerned that it will place additional burdens on them.

In addition to the mobilization of youth, the political dimension could not be overlooked. While the Bundestag was discussing the reintroduction of compulsory military service, the MPs had a different perspective on the matter due to their average age of over 47 years. Critical voices, like that of Tamme (25), call for more consideration of the needs of young people and at the same time criticize the austerity measures at schools and universities. There are also calls in the media for Germany to strengthen its defense capability, while at the same time the effects of the Ukraine war and international tensions are being discussed.

A peaceful rally

The demonstration in Kassel ended at the main train station and, according to the police, was peaceful. The speakers at the event also had their say and criticized not only the military service law, but also the role of defense companies such as KNDS. This image is reflected in many of the protests, where young people are demanding that their voices be heard and not be ignored - a stance strongly supported by the Berlin State Student Committee. “We don’t want decisions to be made over our heads,” explained one student.

The resistance to conscription shows that young people in Germany are determined to make their voices heard and stand up for their beliefs. The developments ahead will show whether the protests will have a lasting impact or whether policymakers will continue to operate in their own bubble without taking the voice of the next generation seriously. The debate is open and will certainly continue.