00:09An annual Easter march opposing rearmament, conscription and military conflicts drew some 1,000 people to Cologne on Saturday.
00:18The march, organized by the Cologne Peace Forum, was titled Peace-Loving Rather Than War-Mongering and passed by Cologne's
00:26landmark, Cologne Cathedral.
00:27The protest was supported by political parties, trade unions and civil society groups.
00:33Organizers said the protest was being held against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine and
00:41the Middle East.
00:42They said such wars showed a lack of respect for international law, and they called for diplomacy, dialogue and social
00:49justice instead of increased military spending.
00:52In December, Germany's parliamentary budget committee cleared more than 50 billion euros in defense contracts over the next few years,
01:00as Russia's war in Ukraine puts pressure on the nation to boost its military spending.
01:05In addition to Cologne, Easter marches were planned for Saturday in numerous other towns and cities, including Stuttgart, Duisburg, Hannover,
01:14Munich, Berlin and Stralsund.
01:16Whistle to pray forễn upon the country throughout each of the
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