Suche
Mein Konto
Protest against Rheinmetall: Action alliance comes to Meerbusch!
Protest march against Rheinmetall in Meerbusch on August 28th, 2025: Activists are calling for an end to arms exports and criticizing militarization.
Protest against Rheinmetall: Action alliance comes to Meerbusch!
Next Thursday, Meerbusch will be the scene of an important protest march by the “Rheinmetall Disarmen” campaign alliance. Around 200 participants are registered who are calling for an end to all German arms exports. The focus is particularly on the weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall, which is seen as a symbol of dangerous militarization. According to the Borken newspaper However, the demonstrators are not allowed to go to the home of Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger, but have to turn around at an intersection.
The Cologne police are intensively preparing for the event, with several hundred emergency services on site to ensure security. Violence or unpeaceful actions will not be tolerated, and the police will take consistent action in the event of violations reported.
Background of the protests
As WDR reports, the “Rheinmetall Disarmen” alliance sees arms exports as a direct contribution to the escalation of conflicts. Jonah Fischer, a spokesman for the alliance, criticizes Rheinmetall's role in the Ukraine war, which he describes as a conflict between major powers. Activists vehemently oppose arms deliveries because they believe they only prolong the war and encourage further war crimes.
This stance is supported by Camille Dietrich, another member of the alliance, who has expressed concern about arms deals promoting war. Recent years have shown that Rheinmetall's share price has risen sharply since 2022, which many see as evidence that the defense industry is profiting from the war. This view is supported by the historic decisions of the Bundestag, which approved large loans for defense and amended the Basic Law to exclude defense spending from the debt brake.
Social acceptance for armaments projects
In a climate characterized by military buildup and social debates, the pressure on the arms industry, especially on personalities like Armin Papperger, has increased. He was recently named “Maker of the Year” and repeatedly emphasizes the need to defend NATO, Germany and Europe. Nevertheless, there is also growing resistance to this militarization, as the upcoming protests in Meerbusch impressively show.
Whether these voices will be heard remains to be seen, while the security situation in Europe and Germany's role in international conflicts remain on the agenda. Thursday's protest will certainly be another expression of concerned citizens who want to advocate for peace and disarmament.