The traditional Easter march has begun in Bern. This year’s “Walk for Peace” has the motto “Ukraine War”.
the essentials in brief
- For the first time since 2019, an Easter march took place in Bern.
- The move, which started in Eichholz, was marked by the Ukraine war.
- Several hundred people moved to Münsterplatz, where performances are planned.
Several hundred people gathered in Eichholz an der Aare early Monday afternoon, according to a reporter from the Keystone-SDA news agency. Many peace flags in the colors of the rainbow could be seen.
The move is to run along the Aare, within sight of the Ukrainian embassy on Helvetiaplatz, into the city. The march should end on Münsterplatz. Appearances by several speakers are planned there.
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Almost 40 organizations, mainly from left-wing and church circles, called for the Easter march in the federal city. There are different positions within the peace movement on the Ukraine war. The arms deliveries from the West to the war country are particularly controversial.
Originating in the 1960s
There have been Easter marches in Switzerland since the 1960s. For years there have been protests against nuclear armament under the motto “Make peace without weapons”.
In Bern, the tradition died out before the end of the Cold War. However, it experienced a resurgence in 2003 after the US invasion of Iraq. Since then, several hundred people have taken part in the march from the Aare to the old town every year.
First Easter march since 2019 in Bern
The 2022 Easter March in Bern is the first since 2019; the last two editions were canceled due to Corona. This year’s motto “Protect the climate, build peace” was set before the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine. In hindsight, the organizers decided to focus on the war in Eastern Europe.
The connection to the climate issue is also obvious here, according to a call to the rally. Dependence on Russian raw materials is becoming noticeable. Switzerland plays a central role in trading these climate-damaging fossil fuels and must now assume its responsibility.
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