Oct. 8—The peace coalition Nie wieder Krieg (Never Again War) organized peace rallies in Berlin and Stuttgart on October 3, the annual German Unity Day. According to the organizers, 20,000 people gathered in Berlin and 15,000 in Stuttgart. It is encouraging to see that more and more organizations are willing to work together. According to a press release, a broad coalition of more than 300 organizations had called for the events, including the BüSo (Bürgerrechtsbewegung Solidarität), peace and anti-war groups, the German-Palestinian Society, the Alliance Against Conscription, several Verdi trade union [the second largest in Germany—ed.] local chapters.

Following their respective opening rallies, demonstrators marched in procession through the city center, then returned to the speakers’ stage. Though not yet drawing huge numbers in comparison with the 1980s peace demonstrations, the significant, growing attendance and new spirit of these events expressed increased momentum in the mobilization to stop the war dynamic underway in Europe.