Cologne barracks blockaded: police disperse anti-war protest, proceedings initiated
Activists from the alliance "Disarm Rheinmetall" blockaded a Bundeswehr barracks in Cologne; police dispersed the assembly and initiated criminal proceedings.
Blockade of Lüttich Barracks in Cologne lifted
According to Google News DE — Crime (de), the anti-war alliance "Disarm Rheinmetall" blockaded the access road to the Lüttich Barracks in Cologne on Wednesday. At the same time, around ten activists glued themselves to the roadway in front of a Rheinmetall weapons manufacturer facility in Bonn.
Cologne police dispersed the assembly. A police spokesman cited as grounds that participants had not removed their face coverings and no assembly organiser had been named. The demonstrators did not resist; there were no arrests or detentions. Police initiated criminal proceedings for violations of the Assembly Act; those involved were given notices to leave the area. The recording of personal details was still ongoing at midday.
The police stated that the blockade had not impaired the functional and operational capability of the barracks.
Camille Dietrich, spokesperson for the alliance, stated that the action was directed against the role of the Bundeswehr in the ongoing rearmament process. There were too few teachers, too few kindergarten places and too few women's shelters because money was flowing into armaments, Dietrich said.
According to police, activists who had glued themselves to the ground in Bonn were removed in the afternoon; personal details were also recorded there. According to Dietrich, the Bonn activists belonged to the group "Peacefully Against Genocide". The aim of the action was to denounce German arms deliveries to Israel, which were being used for — according to the alliance's formulation — "genocide against the Palestinian people".
"Disarm Rheinmetall" is currently operating a protest camp in Cologne with several hundred participants, whose programme also includes several demonstrations.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)