Cologne: Police break up peace demonstration with violence – dozens injured!

Cologne: Police break up peace demonstration with violence – dozens injured!

Dramatic scenes occurred in Cologne on September 1, 2023 as part of a peace demonstration that was heavily monitored by the police. The march, organized by the Cologne Peace Forum, was intended to draw attention to the problems of rearmament and the federal government's military intervention. These also had to be considered in the context of the “Disarm Rheinmetall” camp, which took place from August 25th to September 1st and was directed against the armaments industrial giant Rheinmetall. The protest hit the headlines when the police deployed more than 1,600 officers in heavy equipment - water cannons and armored vehicles were also deployed to keep the participants under control. WSWS describes that the police offensive pushed the demonstrators' weapons into the background.

The protest by a colorful group of mostly teenagers and young people began about an hour late, hardly anyone had any idea what would follow. After several interruptions by the police, the demonstration was completely stopped at around 6 p.m. The reasons for this were declared to be “attacks on emergency services” and violations of the right to assembly. What was intended to be a peaceful gathering quickly turned into an intersection between activists and law enforcement.

Police raid during the protest

The police not only took action against the demonstrators, but also against observers and journalists. Under the watching eyes was the left-wing Bundestag member Lisa Schubert, who denounced massive violence against the protesters. According to reports, several dozen people were injured in confrontations with police - including 13 police officers, three of whom were no longer operational. WDR reports a total of 150 injured demonstrators.

Regardless of the grievances, the police recorded a number of personal details and nightly arrests followed. 524 personal details were recorded, and in the end two people remained in custody. The violence on that day is seen as part of a broader repression against protests - a trend that can be observed not only in Cologne but across the country. The authorities have been criticized, particularly for their support of military interventions and a strict rearmament policy. Many see the political decisions as having a direct connection to the social challenges facing the working class.

Protest movements in a historical context

The protest movement in Germany has a long and eventful history. It ranges from the demonstrations during the occupation to the 1968 protests to the massive peace movements of the 1980s, which were particularly popular due to the fear of nuclear armament. [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/studie-zu-den-protest Movements-seit-1945-die-deutschen-im-100.html) emphasizes that such movements were not only characterized by subgroups, but were able to mobilize broad sections of the population. The current protests, although often organized via social media, find their roots in this deep-rooted tradition of expression and political engagement.

It remains to be seen how these developments will affect the political landscape in Cologne and beyond. The urge for change and the determination to advocate for peace and social justice remain unbroken. Citizens are demanding an end to repression and a more peaceful, just society.