More than 1.200 Yesterday people demonstrated in Kassel against the introduction of compulsory military service and possible conscription. The alliance’s protest action “School strike against conscription” took place nationwide 90 cities instead.
The demonstrators marched from the town hall to the KNDS factory and the main train station, formulating clear political demands: In their speeches, they criticized conscription as compulsory service and expressed their solidarity with the people affected by war in Ukraine, Palestine and Sudan. They see the German state with its arms exports and the arms companies as accomplices and contributors to global wars.
The expansion of the KNDS factory to the Hensche area in the Rothenditmold district was also repeatedly sharply criticized. As part of a larger construction project by the Berlin investor SectorSeven A new access road and a new parking garage are to be built for KNDS. Existing youth- and cultural spaces, including the Mister Wilson skate hall and Atelier- and rehearsal rooms, The demonstrators see the construction project as endangered.
According to the alliance, 14 Schools from Kassel take part in the strikes. Students also joined the demonstration and organized a feeder demonstration from the central cafeteria. They also criticized cuts at universities, which lead to the reduction or elimination of study programs.
From the 1. January 2026 All young people in the year receive it 2008 a questionnaire for sampling. For people with a male gender entry, answering and testing is mandatory. Anti-militarist organizations warn against a possible extension of the procedure to older age groups.
The alliance has already announced the next protest date: Am 05. March 2026 School strikes are planned again.
