Contesting eatery labeled as anti-war: Persistent presence of Vladimir Putin under scrutiny
On July 1st, 2023, the Anti-War Café in Berlin's Rochstraße 3 underwent a significant change as it was taken over by a newly formed association named "Germany in Dialogue with the States of the Global South". The café, which has been a symbol of peace and anti-war sentiments since its inception in 2005, is now set to serve as an open platform for events, encounters, and discussions.
Heinrich Bücker, the cafe's founder and long-time proprietor, has been at the helm for 20 years. Before opening the Anti-War Café, Bücker made a small fortune through flea market trading. However, the café never made a profit, with Bücker investing more of his own money into it.
Bücker, born in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, has been a vocal advocate for peace, particularly with Russia. He believes that Russia is defending itself against further NATO expansion on its borders and does not want weapons sent or German soldiers deployed to Ukraine. This stance has been a contentious issue, with some customers expressing contrasting views.
For instance, a young Brazilian customer, who hails from a communist family and studies in Germany, often visits the café and sings the old Soviet anthem in the event cellar. On the other hand, a Brazilian customer, who does not consider himself a Putin supporter, has questions for both sides regarding the war in Ukraine and the situation in Russia.
Bücker, who was a member of The Left party until the end of 2023, left due to lack of support during his trial in February 2024, at the Regional Court of Berlin, where he was accused of inciting aggressive wars. Despite this, he emphasized his stance against all wars.
The leadership of the newly founded association that took over the operation of the Anti-War Café is not explicitly mentioned in the provided search results. However, it is known that the association has seven members who share Bücker's political views.
Regular customers of the café include Rüdiger Deißler, a district councilor of the Left party. A poster in the café depicts Karl Liebknecht, who opposed war credits in the Reichstag during World War I and was imprisoned for shouting "Down with the war! Down with the government!".
The Anti-War Café continues to display flags of revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara and plays music from the 1996 album "Buena Vista Social Club". Donations can be made to Bücker's account, using the reference: "Germany in Dialogue with the States of the Global South", as the association is asking for donations to support the project financially. The café's slogan remains "Peace with Russia! Out of NATO!".
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