In a show of discontentment, thousands of people took to the streets of Berlin over the weekend to express their frustration with the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its military ambitions. While the demonstration was organized by the “Lateral Thinking” protest movement, which is known for opposing pandemic restrictions, it also drew a sizable crowd of individuals concerned about the government’s push to rebuild the country’s military.
The protest began on Berlin’s iconic Kurfürstendamm shopping street and made its way towards Berlin-Tiergarten. Organized by Michael Ballweg, the rally aimed to promote “freedom, peace, and joy,” echoing the sentiments of many protestors who were dissatisfied with the policies of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government.
Notably, some participants displayed placards endorsing The Basis, a fringe political party associated with the Lateral Thinking movement. One slogan, “Peace-ready, not war-ready,” stood out, challenging German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ statement that Germany must be prepared for conflict with Russia in the coming years.
Despite the high tensions and passionate displays, the demonstration and rally remained peaceful, with no reported incidents or arrests throughout the day. The only notable violations came from individuals who displayed posters referencing the classified magazine “Compact,” which had drawn the attention of Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
This massive gathering serves as a powerful reminder that citizens worldwide are eager for government accountability and debate on pressing issues. Through peaceful protests and collective action, the public continues to call for a reassessment of policies and a more transparent approach to governance.