Report:

Human chain against nuclear weapons at 5.9. in Büchel

by Renate Wanie

Concept of non-violent action and effectiveness for social change.

Around 800 people took part in the human chain at the Büchel aerial horst in the Eifel against the 20 nuclear weapons stored there. The human chain is considered to be the highlight of the protests. In the year of Corona measures, banners and ribbons have contributed to the necessary distance. Sunshine and a well-prepared program with music as well as several dedicated speeches ensured good mood and motivated the 800 actives to further activities.

The human chain was organized by the campaign "Büchel is everywhere! nuclear-free." In the run-up to the Bundestag election, the peace movement demanded Germany's accession to the UN Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons stationed in Germany. "The standstill in nuclear disarmament must finally be overcome. The coming Federal Government must no longer ignore the nuclear weapons ban treaty that entered into force in January and must finally join us! The arguments of the current government against this groundbreaking treaty are obvious. Instead, there is currently a billion nuclear upgrade." said Marion Küpker, campaign spokesman.

Among the participants were also protesters from other European countries.
"The European peace movement is committed to ending NATO’s nuclear participation. Today's policy of relaxation is to extend the cooperative relations that have already begun in the field of climate policy to the area of security and peace," said Angelika Clalien, Chairman of IPPNW Europe and Co-chair of IPPNW Germany. In addition to activities from Belgium and the Netherlands, Prof. Karl Hans Bläsius, expert for Artificial Intelligence from the University of Trier, about a Nuclear war mistaken for a false alarm in an early warning system (More information here andhere)

The BÃ1⁄4chel flyerhorst is the last remaining location for American nuclear weapons in Germany. In the course of the nuclear participation of Nato in the conflict, the nuclear weapons are to be targeted by German Tornados. Such an operation, however, would not only be questionable in international law, but would also be contrary to internal regulations of the Bundeswehr. From 2022 onwards, however, the pilot is to be modernised and expanded for more than 250 million euros. The base in the Eifel is probably also prepared for the planned deployment of new B61-12 US nuclear weapons. According to the current Ministry of Defense, this will be accompanied by the deployment of new F/A-18 carrier aircraft. The procurement of new carrier systems will cost billions. Other NATO countries, such as Greece, have not bought new support systems and Canada has withdrawn nuclear weapons.
Especially on the occasion of the 4th An anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the nuclear-free campaign is firmly opposed to these confusing issues. The campaign is not alone: In representative surveys, more than 80% of the German population has been talking about nuclear weapons and the withdrawal of nuclear weapons for years!
Why are US nuclear bombs still in use in the Eifel?