Millions Across the World Say ‘No To NATO, No Weapons To Ukraine’
By VT - Philippa Jane Winkler - September 19, 2023
From Madrid to London to Berlin to New York, millions of protesters in NATO countries have taken to the streets to stop their government’s participation in the Ukraine war.
But Western media coverage of Ukraine war protests is clearly biased. Protests Attract Little Media Attention in The West
While giving blanket coverage to public pro-Ukraine sentiment, Western media omits coverage of campaigns that are anti-NATO, for peace, and against sending arms to Ukraine.
Here are a few examples of protests you most likely would not have known about:
SPAIN
Demonstrators Rally in the US and Europe Against NATO Summit | News | teleSUR English
In June 2022, ‘many’ thousands of protestors demonstrated in Madrid just streets away from the Prado Museum, where NATO leaders were holding a gala dinner. OTAN stands for Organizzazione del Trattato dell’ Atlantico del Nord (NATO.) Banner slogans read Yes to Peace, No to War and Bases Out.
SWEDEN
Protests against NATO held across Sweden-Xinhua (news. cn)
In April 2023, protests were held across 17 cities against Sweden hosting AURORA 23, a military exercise with NATO allies.
ITALY
Italians protest against NATO warmongering policies (iranpress.com)
In March 2022, thousands of people protested in support of peace with Ukraine and against NATO. The banner reads ‘NATO out of Italy.’
UNITED KINGDOM
Marchers in London say, ‘Russian troops out, no to Nato escalation’ (socialistworker.co.uk)
The British anti-war movement did not call for a withdrawal of the United Kingdom from NATO but for an end to NATO expansion and the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Anti-war protests were held across the United Kingdom in 2022.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Antiwar marchers honor MLK, say ‘NO’ to NATO proxy war in Ukraine – Liberation News
On Jan. 14, 2023, a large crowd gathered in Times Square in New York City on Martin Luther King Day and called for an end to the U.S.-NATO proxy war in Ukraine.
GERMANY
Thousands protest in Berlin against giving weapons to Ukraine | Germany | The Guardian
In February 2023, 13,000 people demanded that the German government stop sending weapons to Ukraine, and press for negotiations with Vladimir Putin of Russia.
FINLAND
Finnish protesters say/ No to NATO, yes to peace – Workers World
A demonstration on June 4 2022 in Helsinki, Finland. The sign in front reads, ‘Yes to peace, no to NATO.’ Finland, previously non-aligned, became NATO’s 31st member in April 2023.
Anti-NATO demonstrations tend to be from the Left on the political spectrum and coverage comes from the socialist press and from countries like Iran and China. The elites maintain their dominance on the basis of divide and rule. To make a true impact public anti-war campaigns need to carry a wide political base.
The No to NATO international campaign unites all sides:
No to war – no to NATO Network – International Network to delegitimize NATO (no-to-nato.org)
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Geopolitics: It’s not Rocket Science | Philippa Jane Winkler |
Philippa Jane Winkler
Philippa is a professor of International Relations, with a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol and a BA from the London School of Economics and Political Science. But not just an academic, Philippa is an international activist and music artist as well, having engaged at the United Nations and with governments. She draws from both left and right critical perspectives.
