There are many solidarity rallies with Ukraine these days, but the meeting on Munich’s Königsplatz on Wednesday evening sent a special signal. Ash Wednesday is otherwise reserved in the Free State for rowdy clashes between political rivals. In an unprecedented gesture, they linked arms this time to take a stand against the war of aggression ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A solidarity of representatives of the CSU, SPD, Greens, FDP, Free Voters, Left Party, ÖDP and Volt: This is the largest possible coalition of democrats. There were also representatives from trade unions, religious communities and the Nature Conservation Union, which showed that the motto of the meeting was “Peace in Europe, Solidarity with the Ukraine!” truly concerns everyone.
The tone of the speeches was appropriate to the occasion: clear in the message, thoughtful in the delivery. And a better backdrop could hardly have been found: the Glyptothek and the State Collection of Antiquities, two outstanding places of power for human cultural ability, formed the framework for the get-together. Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Jewish Community in Munich and Upper Bavaria, recalled that the Nazis had once used the square for self-portrayal: “But now we’re standing here!” Grab public space – that’s what it was about.
Together instead of against each other: The influx showed how much this message hit a nerve. The initiators from the Bavarian SPD had calculated with 5,000 participants, there were 45,000 – a good nine times as many. The fact that they sent a signal that also reached the Kremlin and was noticed there is probably wishful thinking – but it’s not the only criterion. Such cooperation always has an internal effect. Those who took part experience the certainty that they are not alone with their anger, their worries, their concerns. And anyone watching from afar with similar feelings can see: there are many to rally behind.