20260712 Berliner Bündnis gegen Waffenproduktion

12.07.2026 Berliner Bündnis gegen Waffenproduktion

Berlin hates Rheinmetall

... were the chants at the demonstration organized by a local coalition against the production of military equipment in the capital, which drew a good turnout despite the heat. “All of Berlin” wasn’t at the demonstration, but there were still over 3,000 people — according to police estimates, nearly 2,000. In any case, neither buses nor taxis were running on the square in front of the Gesundbrunnen train station. Several hundred people crowded into the shade of the entrance area and were perhaps mistaken by the police for “travelers.”

Weapons of mass destruction, of all things

For 70 years, (at least West) Berlin was a demilitarized city, and now, of all places, artillery ammunition is set to roll off the assembly line at a supplier factory for the auto industry. These 90-centimeter-long, 45-kilogram projectiles can travel 30 to 40 kilometers before shattering into thousands of metal shards. It is precisely these weapons that are being used to murder people all over the world. The shooter is blind to the victims kilometers away. Rheinmetall’s weapons — approved by the government — are in use in Gaza, Kurdistan, and Yemen, where they are causing mass death.

Days of Action Culminate in a Protest

Yesterday’s demonstration was the culmination of the days of action, which began on Thursday with an attempt to block access to the Rheinmetall company grounds. In addition, a circus tent was set up on the central lawn in Humboldthain Public Park, featuring engaging talks and exhibitions, music and theater performances, creative workshops, and opportunities for networking. A neighborhood group from Scheringstraße — where the Rheinmetall plant is located at number 2 — clearly articulated its concerns and opposition to the project at the opening rally.

Since there is a high probability that weapons from there will also be used in the Middle East in the future — given that there is still no ban on German arms exports to Israel, even though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that genocide is taking place there and is seeking to bring charges against Netanyahu — many Palestinian flags were also on display. Greta Thunberg, who was detained by the Israeli military a few weeks ago while accompanying an aid convoy across the Mediterranean, was also there yesterday.

Despite the high temperatures, the event lasted a full five hours until it was dispersed by the police at 7 p.m. and certainly reached many local residents.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)