20260509 Nie wieder Krieg!

09.05.2026 Nie wieder Krieg!

Standing firm during the school strike

Activists from “Aktion Freiheit statt Angst” also accompanied the third school strike against a new draft, and we noticed that there were slightly fewer participants in the march from Hallesche Tor to the Brandenburg Gate. To take part, however, students had to skip class starting as early as the third period. After the fifth period, however, many students gathered again at the Brandenburg Gate—the organizers put the number at 5,000.

It’s not just the eggs that are an issue

The slogans go far beyond the issue that Chancellor Merz reported to the police:

Peace instead of Friedrich
Defense yes, coercion no
I want to study instead of saluting
No more war!
Demonstration against conscription
Stateless fellow — I’ll fight your front!
Defend, yes; coercion, no
FCK NZS
We all know what happened when Germany last rearmed ..

The School Strike Committee is supported by the Education and Science Union (GEW) Berlin, the German Peace Society – United War Resisters (DFG VK), International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), and other organizations. Because just as important as the regular demonstrations are the discussions within the School Strike Committees right there in the schools.

The goal is to alleviate students’ fears that they will face consequences if they fail to respond to the questionnaire they received. If they fail to respond, they will receive a reminder. After that, a fine of 250 euros may be imposed. The question of whether one should already now — that is, before receiving the questionnaire — formulate and send one’s own statement of conscientious objection as a preventive measure is also an issue that should be discussed and decided upon calmly and thoughtfully.

The next school strike is coming...