Press Release September 27^th, 2015

Colorful, diverse protest at Ramstein Air Base

On Saturday, 09/26/2015, the “Stopp Ramstein” campaign protested in front of the United States Air Base Ramstein with a colorful and vivid demonstration. In the region’s largest peace protest in recent years, 1,500 demonstrators called for the closure of the central hub for the preparation and execution both of wars of aggression violating international law and of drone warfare. The procession stopped for a short manifestation at the 1988 memorial, holding a minute of silence.

Local Albrecht Müller, former MP for the Social Democrats (SPD) and head of planning in the Office of the Federal Chancellor under Willy Brandt, emphasized at the closing rally that a withdrawal of the US troops from Ramstein is impeded by the federal government’s lack of political will. He also underlined the importance of a counter-public to influence politics. “We must not let us be divided” was his passionate appeal to the peace movement.

Alexander Neu, MP of the Left Party (Die LINKE), challenged the federal government to declare home requirements for the property of Ramstein Air Base. Alexander Ulrich, MP of the Left Party, highlighted the need for conversation programs for the region at the opening rally. Elsa Rassbach, German-American working with Code Pink and DFG-VK, asked US-soldiers to deny themselves the participation in war and stated: “we need more whistleblowers.” Diether Dehm, Kilez More, Morgaine, Mellow Mark and Prinz Chaos II rounded off the demonstrations musically.

Reiner Braun, co-initiator of the demonstration at Ramstein Air Base, announced that 2016 will see another one. He asked all attendees to bring along 10 more people each next time – a proposition met with thunderous applause.

In an atmosphere reminding of the great actions of the peace movement, the colorful, diverse and creative demonstrators moved to the Air Base. Unified and unmistakable their determination: we shall come back and contribute to rebuilding a strong peace movement.

As Prinz Chaos II stated on behalf of the artists involved: “The peace movement is alive and has shown that it is able to act and mobilize.”

Contact

Pascal Luig (+49 (0)177 7872145)

Pedram Shahyar (+49 (0)172 6323210)

more information: http://www.ramstein-kampagne.eu/ (German language)