BERLIN
Around 4,500 leftists and anti-fascists protested on Saturday in Berlin against Germany’s military role in the international area.
The group, who called themselves the Peace Movement, chanted slogans against Germany's President Joachim Gauck, who said at the 50th Munich Security Conference at the end of January this year: "Germany should take more responsibility in international area" to find solutions to international conflicts.
Group members criticized Germany's rising arms exports, its policy against Russia and the sending of its military troops to crisis areas such as Afghanistan, North Iraq and some African countries.
They made their comments during speeches throughout the demonstration.
The group held the banners with slogans such as "We say no to the confrontation with Russia," "No NATO, no war," and "Take off the steel helm Mr. Gauck."
German politicians, including Germany's left-wing Die Linke lawmaker Diether Dehm, also took part in the demonstration.
They started at Berlin's central station and finished in front of Gauck's Bellevue Palace.
Germany has been traditionally hesitant in taking part in international military operations due in large part to its Nazi past.
Public opinion in the country has been largely against Germany taking any military role in international conflicts.
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