Peace protests in Delmenhorst: Citizens are calling for an end to the armaments logic!

On April 20, 2025, an Easter march took place in Delmenhorst, in which around 60 demonstrators took part. Vahit Oflazoglu, spokesman for the Delmenhorst Peace Forum. The main speaker, Gerhard Schäfer from the Friedensforum Bremen, praised the commitment of the local peace forum, the broad support of unions and political parties.

Schäfer pointed out that in the region, unexploded goers from the Second World War have to be recovered weekly, since thousands of bombs still have to be made harmless - even 80 years after the end of the war. His speech included a sharp criticism of the current upgrade course in which a threat was constructed. The former Bundeswehr general inspector Harald Kujat was skeptical about the intentions of Russia in relation to NATO, while Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned of a possible attack in Russia in the next few years.

criticism of upgrading and militarization

In his speech, Schäfer called for a renewal of peace policy in the 1970s and criticized the demands for weapons in Germany as an expression of lack of historical knowledge. He emphasized that the worldwide nuclear weapons arsenal could destroy the earth up to 50 times and commented against the delivery of Taurus weapons systems.

student Xenia Schräfer from the left youth also spoke in the Easter march and emphasized the importance of education and empathy. She asked to question the structures, favor the wars, and called specific conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Gaza. Yeliz Hess, who spoke for the association of workers and young people from Turkey, called for investments in civilian future technologies and an industrial policy that promotes peace and sustainability. She criticized the armor logic and emphasized the need to show attitude in crisis times.

Another Easter march in Bremen addressed the concerns about massive upgrading in Germany and Europe. Karo from the International Youth Association pointed out that billions are spent on wars, while education, health and social services are reduced. The EU is planning an upgrade package of 800 billion euros, and in Germany the debt brake is exposed to unlimited military spending. It is also criticized that nationalism and racism are made socially acceptable again and migrants: inside as scapegoats are presented for political problems. The discussion includes the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service and the role of the Bundeswehr in schools.

The march in Bremen called for an end to the arms deliveries and the support of human rights violations as well as an end to the crew in the Middle East for Peace. The speakers also drawn attention to the dangers of armaments companies that benefit from wars, while young people have to suffer from the cuts in the welfare state.

For more information about the Easter March in Delmenhorst, see Weser-Kurier. [Bremen Friedensforum] (https://bremerfriedensforum.de/2025/19/ostermarsch-2025-bremen-redebeit-1-fuer-frieden reports on the further developments and speeches in Bremen.