Protest against war held outside the residence of Rheinmetall's CEO - Protesters rallying against war outside the residence of Rheinmetall's leader?
In the upcoming weeks, the Rhein-Ruhr region will witness a series of demonstrations and protests against arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, as part of an anti-militarist campaign organized by the "Rheinmetall Entwaffnen" alliance. The events, scheduled from August 26 to 31, 2025, will include workshops, discussions, cultural events, and protests, with hundreds of participants from various activist groups taking part.
The protests, however, are not focused on the private residence of Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger in Meerbusch. There have been no specific reports of demonstrations or protests planned at his private residence.
The centre of these activities is in Cologne and the Rhein-Ruhr area, not specifically at Papperger’s private residence in Meerbusch. Notably, the Cologne Administrative Court has upheld a ban on the Rheinmetall Disarm protest camp, citing concerns about "radicalisation." The organizers plan to appeal and seek a green light from the Higher Administrative Court.
Rheinmetall Disarm, an alliance of anti-militarists and corporate critics, has criticized Rheinmetall for supplying weapons to autocratic states. The alliance has also expressed concern over the planned demonstration in front of Armin Papperger's private residence, with some members indicating they would approve of illegal blockades this time.
However, Rheinmetall respects the right to free expression of opinion and accepts critical views of others, but does not support calls to visit people in their private environment to harass or pressure them. The company, which makes a significant contribution to protecting the democratic order in Germany with products for security, sees boundaries crossed by such actions.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, is under police protection around the clock due to alleged Russian attack plans. In 2024, a fire broke out in the garden house of another one of Papperger's homes in Lower Saxony, which police suspected left-wing extremists of setting. Rheinmetall has not yet commented on any recent incidents or potential protests at Papperger’s private residences.
Meanwhile, Rheinmetall is one of Ukraine's key weapons suppliers, providing artillery ammunition, air defense, and tanks. The company achieved record sales and income in the first half of 2025, but these announcements do not mention protests at any private locations.
Talks between the Cologne police and the organizers of the Rheinmetall Disarm alliance are expected next week. The police have already banned an anti-Rheinmetall protest camp planned for August 26-31 in Cologne, citing an immediate threat to public safety. The organizers have declared their intention to proceed regardless, planning legal and political resistance to the ban.
On August 30, a demonstration is planned in Meerbusch, and an "anti-militarist parade" in Cologne will pass by a barracks. The Cologne Administrative Court views the alliance's planned actions critically, and the police have not yet granted permission for the event in Meerbusch. The responsibility for the event has been transferred from the Neuss police to the Cologne police.
As the protests approach, tensions are running high, with both sides expressing their views and preparing for potential confrontations. The situation remains dynamic, and updates are expected in the coming days.
- Despite the upcoming protests against Rheinmetall in the Rhein-Ruhr region, there have been no specific reports of demonstrations or protests planned at the private residence of its CEO, Armin Papperger, in Meerbusch.
- Amidst the heated debates over Rheinmetall's arms sales and its role in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, the concern for vocational training seems to be on the back burner in the EC countries, with no visible campaigns or discussions on the matter.
