Large green posters hang in the advertising cases of tram and bus stops in Berlin’s city center. Handcrafted by the Workshop for Antifascist Actions, these posters depict a modified version of the familiar emergency exit symbol.

The figure running toward the exit has left behind a shattered rifle and a steel helmet, symbolizing a conscientious objector. The text “War Resisters Welcome!” is written prominently above the image.

Kai N. Krieger from the Workshop for Antifascist Actions explains: “With our campaign, we draw attention to the significant barriers faced by conscientious objectors from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia when seeking residence in Germany. It’s crucial that we support individuals who refuse to participate in the killing in war. We advocate for asylum for conscientious objectors!”

Rob dictators of their army

“Especially in times of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, it is more important than ever to offer refuge to people who refuse military service,” says Kai N. Krieger, spokesperson for the Workshop for Antifascist Actions (W2A). “Without soldiers, Putin cannot wage war. To encourage more people to refuse military service, they need a secure perspective, a place of refuge, and asylum, for instance, in Germany.”

Talk a lot, do little

But contrary to bold announcements, the German government seems more eager to quickly get rid of refugees from Russia and Belarus. To date, the government has recognized only slightly fewer than 100 Russian deserters, conscientious objectors, and those fleeing conscription. “Scandalously few!” says Kai N. Krieger.

#ObjectWarCampaign

The action is part of the #ObjectWarCampaign by Connection e.V. This organization engages in international work related to conscientious objection and desertion, providing support for conscientious objectors. On December 14, Connection e.V. will organize a “Demonstration Against War and for Refugee Protection” in front of the Federal Office for Migration in Nuremberg. Additionally, there is an opportunity to support an online petition calling for measures from the European Parliament and the European Commission to protect conscientious objectors, as well as solidarity projects for political refugees from the Belarusian peace movement.

Adbusting as a creative protest

For their creative protest, the activists from the Workshop for Antifascist Actions used ad busting as a tactic. This form of action involves hijacking advertising displays in public spaces and repurposing them to spread political messages. However, this approach has not been without controversy. While the Berlin public prosecutor’s office has ruled that opening and inserting their own posters is entirely legitimate, there have been repeated repressive actions against ad busters in recent years, including several raids. Following a lawsuit from the affected individuals, the German Federal Constitutional Court ultimately ruled that these searches were disproportionate and illegal, marking a clear victory for the activists.

No more double standards!

“We consider ad busting to be a great method for presenting our demands in a highly visible way,” says Kai N. Krieger. The primary demand is for asylum for people who refuse to serve in the military. “How can we, as a society, say we are against war and the human rights violations that come with it, while at the same time not allowing others the opportunity to refuse military service? That’s total hypocrisy!” Kai complains. For the activists, it’s clear: if every person has the right to live in peace, they should also have the opportunity to exercise that right. “Moreover, dictators like Putin will be in for a surprise when people start fleeing, the very ones he wanted to send to the front lines,” Kai N. Krieger adds with a grin.

More info:

The #ObjectWarCampaign by Connection e.V.: https://objectwarcampaign.org/

For those who want to learn more about ad busting, there are books on the subject available at the Berlin Buster’s Social Club: https://bbsc.blackblogs.org

How to open advertising vitrines: https://adbustingschluesseldienst.noblogs.org

“Berlin: Adbusting against the ‘Killing Machine Military’”

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