Hundreds protest against rearmament at Bern Easter march
Published: Monday, Apr 1st 2024, 13:51
Updated At: Monday, Apr 1st 2024, 15:00
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Around 500 people demonstrated for peace in Bern on Easter Monday. "Demilitarization instead of rearmament" was the motto of this year's Easter march.
"There are no wars and conflicts because there is too little armament, but too much," said the organizers in their appeal. Switzerland should invest in combating security risks such as gender-based violence, racism, poverty, climate change and pandemics instead of investing in the army.
Switzerland must also finally sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It should also work towards the demilitarization of borders and ensure better protection for refugees.
"Not naive, but courageous"
Switzerland also needs to get involved in strengthening and democratizing international institutions such as the UN. This would make more sense than investing in military alliances such as NATO.
The peace movement is criticized for being naive, said Zurich National Councillor Marionna Schlatter (Greens) at the meeting in Eichholz. However, the question arises as to whether those who only talk about armament instead of the causes of war are naive. Those who stand up for peace are not naive, but courageous.
Peace flags and Öcalan banners
Rainbow flags dominated the parade, which led from Eichholz along the River Aare to Bern's old town, a correspondent for the Keystone-SDA news agency reported. The crowd was joined by around 70 people calling for freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Almost 40 organizations, mainly from left-wing and church circles, called for the Easter march. This year's destination was once again Münsterplatz, where participants braved the cold and rainy weather for the final rally.
Easter marches have been taking place in Switzerland since the 1960s. In Bern, the tradition went dormant towards the end of the Cold War, but was resurrected in 2003 after the US invasion of Iraq.
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