Left-Wing Germans Protest Berlin's Arming Of Ukraine

A demonstration against supplying Ukraine with weapons for war with Russia attracted 10,000 people on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, drawing criticism from top German government officials and a large police presence to maintain order, Reuters reported.

Photo Insert: The "Uprising for Peace" was organized in part by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of Germany's left-wing Die Linke party.

Organized by a prominent left-wing German politician, the protest comes a day after the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which drew promises of more weapons from Western allies, fresh sanctions against Russia and shows of support for Kyiv across the globe.

"We call on the German chancellor to stop the escalation of arms deliveries. Now!... Because every day lost costs up to 1,000 more lives - and brings us closer to a 3rd world war," the protest's organizers said on their website.

The "Uprising for Peace" was organized in part by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of Germany's left-wing Die Linke party. Germany, along with the United States, has been one of the biggest suppliers of weapons for Ukraine.

A police spokesperson said 10,000 people gathered around Germany's symbolic Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin. Police mobilized 1,400 officials to keep the peace and to enforce bans on military uniforms, Russian and Soviet flags, Russian military songs and right-wing symbols.

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