Young people in Kassel and Göttingen: major protests against conscription!

Young people in Kassel and Göttingen: major protests against conscription!

Last Friday, December 5th, students took to the streets in several German cities, including Kassel and Göttingen, to protest against the federal government's planned military service reform. The “School Strike Against Conscription” initiative organized these demonstrations and wants to send a clear signal: “We don’t want to end up as cannon fodder” is one of the protest slogans. Loud hn.de The protests were part of a nationwide call in which students all over Germany stood up for their rights and against the militarization of their future.

In Kassel, the rally began at 12 p.m. at the town hall. In Göttingen, the participants gathered at the New Town Hall to voice their concerns. The political situation is making waves: The Bundestag is currently discussing the reintroduction of compulsory military service, which is expected to come into force on January 1, 2026 and requires male citizens aged 18 and over to fill out survey forms and take part in medical examinations. These plans have caused great concern among young people, as politicians' reports and headlines show. The daily news describes that almost 90 cities were involved in the protests.

Protest movement is gaining momentum

Organizers say on social media that they perceive increasing political pressure and the possibility of being forced into military service as an existential threat. The students find support not only from other young people, but also from parties such as the Left Party and the Association for Socialist Elections (BSW), which sharply criticize the plans of the government coalition made up of the CDU/CSU and SPD. The time reports on an increased coalition of student and youth organizations that opposed military service plans, particularly in the context of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

Two school strikes are planned in Berlin on the same day, with more than 3,000 participants expected. Here the protest is being closely monitored in the media, as the vote on military service reform has a signaling effect for the country and affects the realignment of security policy.

Reactions from teachers and students

Despite all the glimmers of hope, there are also concerns on the part of teachers. The German Teachers' Association has urgently warned that unexcused absences from the school strike could have legal consequences. Teacher representatives advise against demonstrating during class time as this could lead to educational measures or even a reprimand. But the students in particular are unimpressed by these warnings and emphasize that they must raise their voices to make the demands heard.

In the midst of these developments, the question is: How will the federal government prepare for this massive resistance? It remains to be seen whether the voices of young people and supporters will have a noticeable impact on the political situation.