Cologne in turmoil: thousands demonstrate against abortion and for the right to life!

Cologne in turmoil: thousands demonstrate against abortion and for the right to life!

Last weekend, Cologne city center became the scene of several demonstrations, including the controversial “March for Life” that took place on Saturday, September 20th. Organized by the Federal Association for Life Rights, the event began on Neumarkt and led through the city center. Around 1,200 anti-abortion activists gathered to spread their message amid loud counter-protest from thousands of counter-demonstrators. Loud Radio Erft The event remained mostly trouble-free, although there were road closures and isolated blockades, which were quickly resolved.

In Berlin, the same event also saw a massive turnout with around 2,200 participants, with only 5,000 registered in advance. The Cologne March, which has only been taking place since 2023, has quickly become an important part of the political landscape. These demonstrations stand for traditional family values ​​and a clear stance against abortion, such as fowid describes.

A strongly religious march

The religious component had a formative influence on the event. The speakers, including Alexandra Maria Linder, chairwoman of the Federal Association for the Right to Life, and a pediatrician who reported on a mother with quadruplets, addressed the participants with powerful appeals. Slogans like "Responsibility not abortion" and "Mom, I love you! Love me too!" dominated the demonstrators' signs. The participation of clergy and a strong Christian identity could not be overlooked, as reported by Daily Mirror emerges.

At the Cologne event, greetings were given by various clerics, including Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. In contrast, the Association of German Catholic Youth criticized the presence of right-wing extremist activists at the demonstration. A pediatrician who addressed the problems of abortion also placed the rejection of such procedures after rape at the center of his speech.

Future demonstrations and their expansion

Another large demonstration is scheduled for Sunday, September 21st. Several bicycle demonstrations will start at 1 p.m. and will join together in an extensive rally in the afternoon. The “Kidical Mass” alliance, which supports this movement, expects up to 2,500 participants, including many families with children. Police and organizers expect temporary closures on important roads, especially on Aachener Straße and the Rhine bridges. At the previous demonstration, the presence of counter-demonstrators was unmistakable, and this mobilization could also face resistance again.

The figures from the past few years show an eventful history of the number of participants and response to such events. With participants often reported to be higher by the organizers than confirmed by the police, the significance of some statistics remains questionable. Nevertheless, it is clear that the “March for Life” has established itself as an integral part of the social discourse in Germany.