Ostermarsch: Friedensfähig statt Kriegstüchtig - Aufrüstung, Wehrpflicht und Kriege stoppen – Für eine soziale Zeitenwende!

With speeches by:

• Lea Reisner, Member of the Bundestag, Die Linke
• Frederick Heinz, AStA University of Cologne
• Claudia Lenden, Alliance for Healthcare for the Common Good
• Ferdos Dini
• Jules El-Khatib, German-Palestinian Society
• School strike committee against compulsory military service
• Disarm Rheinmetall
• Ford shop stewards
• Trade Union

And music by "Tenor" and the "Kölner Friedenschror"!

Cologne Easter March flyer as pdf

The increasing warlike events of the year 2026 show us once again and more massively than ever how little the belligerent states adhere to international law: Russia's continued war against Ukraine, Israel's continued actions in Gaza and the West Bank with the aim of systematic expulsion, the US attack on Venezuela and the kidnapping of the presidential couple as well as the blockade of Cuba, then the attack by Israel and the US on Iran with devastating consequences for the entire Middle East. The consequences of these developments for Germany and its population are becoming increasingly tangible. For Chancellor Merz, peaceful diplomatic conflict resolution in accordance with international law does not seem to play a role in this situation.

While Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez, for example, is speaking out against NATO's nuclear armament and its five per cent target for arms spending and sharply criticizing US President Trump for the war against Iran, Merz is backing Trump and holding talks with French President Macron on Germany's access to nuclear weapons, allowing the deployment of American first-strike weapons against Russia in Germany, offering the USA logistical assistance against Iran and pushing ahead with the militarization of our society.

For years to come, this will mean social cuts, the dismantling of climate protection measures and the adaptation of infrastructure and healthcare to military requirements. In Cologne, for example, there are already plans to equip the Merheim hospital to provide medical care for soldiers. The population is being prepared for war situations through the introduction of compulsory military service and civil defense exercises.
But militarization does not create security. It fuels spirals of escalation - both nationally and internationally - and deprives society of the means for social welfare, health, education and ecological transformation.

We say: Enough is enough! We are part of the global community that must say NO loudly and put an end to this madness. Instead of preparing for war, we need to build peace and sustainability as well as diplomacy, dialog, social justice and global responsibility.

We therefore call for participation in the EASTER MARCH 2026 and support the call and demands of the regional alliance Ostermarsch Rhein / Ruhr.

All information about the Cologne Easter March at: http: //www.koelner-friedensforum.org

Call and overview of all regional activities:
www.ostermarsch-rhein-ruhr.de