By Zain Raza
On the 17th of September 2016, a coalition of 33 activist networks organized nationwide demonstrations across Germany under the banner “STOP CETA & TTIP” that were aimed against so called transnational free trade agreements such as TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) and CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement).
According to the organizers of the demonstration, these so-called trade and investments partnerships pose not only a threat to the economy and environment, but are attacks against the foundations of democracy in Europe, Canada and the United States. On the website of the organizers it states: “Let us STOP CETA & TTIP! We support fair trade and not free trade.”
Although the majority of Germans is critical towards these agreements, establishment politicians favor them on the grounds that they will boost exports, economic growth and trade. The Social Democrats of Germany (SPD) led by Sigmar Gabriel are also in favor of these agreement, in particular CETA, and hence there was a strong focus of the organizers to influence the policy stance of the SPD.
Organizers estimate that upwards of 300,000 to 350,000 people took part in these demonstrations.
acTVism Munich was present in both Berlin and Munich to provide on-ground coverage.
The demonstrations reflected a broad spectrum of movements: Activists, trade unions, farmers, nutrition, media, digital rights, civil rights, environmental organizations.
According to police the entire demonstration took place peacefully with no reports of violence.
PICTURES: TTIP and CETA Demonstration in Munich
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Zain Raza writes for acTVism Munich, where this article first appeared.
GO DEUTSCHLAND!!!
Hope Germany follows the lead of some Australians and rallies to the prospect of removing itself from the UN. (James Corbett quips the UN is like the Hotel California, you can check out but you can never leave.)
They admit these kind of numbers, it most certainly means there may have been millions.
In Sept 2008 we took it upon ourselves to rally at the D.Z. capitol and I have an aerial photo which shows upwards of 1+ million.
Faux news reported 70,000 (O’Really), this was a light bulb for me and the last time I watched any of the nonsense on the talking head shows.
That’s really great to hear! The kosher media knows full well that nothing takes the air out of righteous/peaceful demonstration like feeling you’re a microscopic minority – well, that, or a bullet/Israeli trained cop nightstick or pepper spray..