Easter demos held in Germany against wars in crisis regions

Demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday in the German capital of Berlin to protest against wars and arms exports.

The demonstration in Berlin is part of the traditional Easter marches which are held every year in Germany. People take to the streets during the Easter holidays and demonstrate for peace.

In addition to traditional topics like arms exports, nuclear weapons and xenophobia, a main feature of this year's Easter marches, which are set to be held at about 80 different locations across the country, are wars in crisis regions and the current refugee crisis.

About 2,000 people have participated in Saturday's rally held under the motto of "War is Terror" in Neukoelln, located in the southeastern part of Berlin, according to its organizers.

The protesters called for a stop of wars in countries like Syria and Iraq, and expressed their support for a political solution for the conflict in Syria as well as the fight against the causes of migration and flight.

"Wars must be stopped. Wars led by America and its partners in countries like Syria are a major cause for today's massive refugee movements," said a protester to Xinhua.

Thomas Schleip, who has made his way from southwest German state of Rhineland-Palatinate to Berlin to take part in the demonstration, believed that Germany and other European countries should make more efforts to integrate the refugees coming to Europe instead of trying to deport them.

"I think the German government should, above all, invest more in building houses for the new arrivals so that they can find a refuge in our country," he added. Endit