40,000 expected at Brandenburg Gate protest against rearmament

Berlin police and organisers are preparing for up to 40,000 participants at a large demonstration planned for the Brandenburg Gate against the German government's rearmament plans and a possible return of conscription. The rally, announced on October 1, 2026, is backed by a broad left-wing and peace-movement alliance and will combine political speeches with a concert programme. The Berlin hip-hop group K.I.Z. and the rapper Apsilon are confirmed as the musical headliners, drawing a younger audience to the march. Authorities expect significant road closures around the Pariser Platz and the government quarter, as well as disruptions for public transport. Police plan a strong presence to manage crowd flows between the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and the Tiergarten, and organisers have called for a strictly peaceful protest. The demonstration follows weeks of debate in the Bundestag about higher defence spending and a new military service model, and is seen as one of the largest anti-war mobilisations in the capital this year.