Thousands of demonstrators protest in Berlin-Wedding against arms exports

Offenses and incidents

The demonstration is part of a series of protests that have taken place at the site in previous months. Police had been deployed there repeatedly. In earlier actions, activists had also blocked the access road to the company site, according to police. The protests on the two immediately preceding days, by contrast, had a different focus: at that time they were predominantly pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which took place on a significantly smaller scale.

Background: Earlier protests at the site

On Thursday, two police officers were injured in clashes with pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Police said at the time that they had sent reinforcements into the area around Gesundbrunnen. On Saturday, according to current findings, only isolated offenses occurred; larger clashes did not take place.

The organizers see the protest as a contribution to the debate over arms exports and the role of German weapons manufacturers. Rheinmetall is one of the largest arms companies in Europe and maintains production and administration buildings at the Berlin-Wedding site. Critics accuse the company of aggravating international conflicts through deliveries to conflict zones.

The demonstration took place in the early afternoon and lasted several hours. Observers spoke of a peaceful but determined mood along the route. Families and initiatives from the Wedding neighborhood had called for participation, as had alliances from the peace and climate movements. Police were present with a visible presence along the march route.

Reactions and outlook

The news was broadcast on 11.07.2026 on Deutschlandfunk. Coverage was also provided via the dpa news channel. What happens after the demonstration, for example with regard to announced further protest actions at the Rheinmetall site, was initially unclear.

Overall, the demonstration illustrates the ongoing mobilization against arms production in Berlin. Spokespersons for the protest movement announced that they would maintain pressure on political decision-makers and on companies such as Rheinmetall. Police announced that they would review possible investigation proceedings regarding masking, pyrotechnics, and criminal slogans.