Multiple anti-war organizations staged a demonstration in central Munich on Saturday to protest the 62nd Munich Security Conference, with thousands of participants criticizing an increasing militarization of the forum and calling for resolving international disputes through dialogue and negotiation.
Gathering in downtown Munich, the protesters warned that continued emphasis on military agendas would heighten regional tensions and fuel an arms race, calling for reductions in military spending, a halt to military expansion, and a return to a collective security framework grounded in international law.
Some demonstrators also said the Munich Security Conference had deviated from its original purpose of promoting security dialogue and had become a platform for geopolitical rivalry.
"I believe that NATO countries in Europe seek to play the role of great powers in this new multipolar world. The result, of course, is that countries attempt to achieve this goal through expanding and preparing their armed forces. We believe this is the wrong approach," said Heinz Michael Vilsmeier, a spokesman for the rally's organizing side.
"Like in past years, we are once again protesting against the so-called Munich Security Conference which in fact is a conference that fuels wars. Expanding and preparing armed forces has never brought peace. It only leads to reciprocal military expansion, arms upgrades and arms races, as well as enormous risks for wars," said Heiner Holl, a demonstrator.
Thousands demonstrate in Munich against Security Conference
Thousands demonstrate in Munich against Security Conference
