- Protest against military technology at Dresden City Festival
Military technology exhibition at the Dresden City Festival faces resistance. The Left party in the city council has launched an online petition. "The German military often uses the Dresden City Festival to showcase heavy military equipment. For 2024, they're promoting vehicles from the Field Jaeger unit, a wheeled tank, and the Patriot air defense system," the petition states. Given worrying international developments, many people are rightfully concerned. "Heavy military weapons have no place at a city festival!"
The German military in Saxony had announced on Facebook that they would display vehicles from the Field Jaeger unit, the GTK Boxer wheeled tank, the Bison recovery vehicle, and the Patriot system. In previous years, they had presented themselves at the "Blue Light Mile" of the festival alongside police, fireworks, and the Technical Relief Agency. This year's festival begins on Friday and runs until Sunday.
Criticism from the Left
"Arms production is accelerating. There's loud drumming for military readiness. Now, the US even wants to station long-range missiles in Germany. Given these developments, I'm deeply worried that our country will be drawn into a war," Left party faction leader André Schollbach explained his opposition.
"As a city councilor, but even more so as a father, I'm appalled that dangerous military equipment is to be displayed between bounce castles, Ferris wheels, and cotton candy." An army is not a joyful adventure camp.
The Left party's online petition against the military display at the Dresden City Festival has gathered significant support, urging that ['The online petition'] demands the cancellation of the event featuring heavy military equipment. In response to the controversy, Andre Schollbach, the Left party faction leader, reiterated his concerns, stating that ['The online petition'] mirrors the public's apprehension towards deploying military weapons at a family-oriented event.
