GREECE
Demonstrations in Piraeus - Protests by residents, trade unionists and pacifists against the arrival of the French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" - April 12, 2025
The Charles De Gaulle is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the French Navy, of which it is the major vessel. She is the first and only nuclear-powered warship built in Western Europe. On April 7, 2025, she arrived in the Mediterranean Sea for joint EU-NATO exercises and as part of the IRAN/USA discussions on the "Iran nuclear dossier".
Statement by the EEDYE trade union, Piraeus section:
"We are once again demonstrating our opposition to our country''s deeper involvement in the war plans of the USA, NATO, the EU. The preparation for war on the competitivness of the big state monopolies, on commercial and energy transport and on the world economy is bringing new suffering to the people. 800 billion euros are being released by the European Union, stolen from the sweat of working people. War spending is rising to 5% of the country''s GDP, made from the wealth the state steals from us and the use of endless working hours.
We paid for their crisis, we pay for their growth, we won''t pay for their costs, their war economy and their war. We are continuing and reinforcing the struggle to ensure that:
- Greece stops participating in imperialist plans
- all NATO and US military bases in our country, which are used as springboards for war, are closed down now
- no concessions will be made to the port of Piraeus and its infrastructure for NATO''s purposes.
Piraeus, a port for the people - not for war and imperialism"
Source: Fotoula Ioannidis
ITALY
On April 5, Rome was the scene of a massive demonstration of over 100,000 people against the 800 billion euro rearmament plan proposed by the European Commission. Called by the Five Star Movement and supported by the Communist Refoundation Party, the mobilization brought together a variety of voices opposed to the plan, seeking to build an alternative popular front against the right.
In the weeks to come, even more massive demonstrations will be organized with a larger number of associations, under the slogan "STOP REARM EUROPE".
Source: Franco Ferrari (Rifundazione Comunista-European Sinister)
GREAT BRITAIN
After 18 years of struggle against US nuclear weapons, British activists are challenging the return of these weapons with a two-week encampment at Lakenheath airbase.
In anticipation of the return of US nuclear weapons to British soil after their withdrawal 18 years ago, campaigners from around the world are gathering at Lakenheath Peace Camp from April 14 to 25, 2025 for a 24/7 vigil at the main entrance to Lakenheath Air Base. Organized by the Lakenheath Peace Alliance and a coalition of many groups, this 11-day encampment, punctuated by specific events each day, will conclude with a peace conference on April 24, 2025, and an airbase blockade on April 25. The peace conference is entitled "Analyzing and Resisting U.S. Nuclear Expansion" and will address issues ranging from global militarism to the arms trade, with a particular focus on the dangers of nuclear weapons..
Source: Ann Wright, 17 avril 2025 - World beyond War
BELGIUM
On 28 March, the Belgian peace movement gathered around 250 people at the Carrefour de l''Europe, near Brussels Central Station. This action was a reaction to the Arizona government''s plans to increase military spending by €17.2 billion during the current legislative term.
Using banners, music and a symbolic die-in, the activists made it clear that more weapons and higher military budgets do not contribute to peace or security. Participants symbolically deposited banknotes in a box, calling for investment in social services such as healthcare, education and development cooperation rather than military spending.
The protesters had four clear demands:
Source: VREDE