You set an example for a free, democratic and, above all, peaceful Europe.

From Frankfurt, the Pulse of Europe (PoE) movement spread across Europe.

At times, thousands took to the streets regularly on Sundays under the European flag, singing the "Ode to Joy", Toto Cutugno's "Insieme" and John Lennon's "Imagine".

Conservatives, liberals, greens and left-wing academics, often over 50, stood wrapped in blue stars and banners and demonstrated primarily for Europe as a peace project.

Many of them had never taken part in a demonstration before.

Some reported flight and expulsion.

Patricia Andreae

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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At the same time, however, there were also protests against the impending Brexit - which, together with the Trump election in 2016, had given the founding impetus - and against the strengthening right wing in many European countries and in Germany.

At times well over 10,000 people attended the rallies on Goetheplatz and the marches to the Paulskiche.

Rainbow European flag at the Pride parades

The founders around the Frankfurt lawyer couple Daniel and Sabine Röder attracted a lot of attention, received awards and were sought-after conversation partners.

After the 2019 European elections and more than two years of volunteer organization, the establishment of various circles and debate formats, Pulse of Europe withdrew from the seats in most cities.

Brexit was unstoppable and the number of participants in the rallies had fallen steadily, while that of the Fridays for Future climate movement was steadily increasing.

The idea of ​​founding your own party was rejected by the board of directors, who wanted to remain non-partisan.

Proponents of the idea got involved with Volt.

Only a few cities, such as Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, continued the Sunday demonstrations in Germany, while in other, primarily Eastern European countries, his supporters of the movement carried the rainbow European flag at the Pride parades, reports Röder.

"We never disappeared," says Stephanie Hartung, also a founding member who now belongs to an EU future forum, but is also a spokesperson for PoE.

In addition, the debates were continued and evaluated in smaller circles, house parliaments and salons.

One of the results is the commitment to #noveto.eu, an initiative opposing the right to unanimity in the EU.

Actually, the movement wanted to go public with it this spring.

But now there are other reasons.

Show solidarity and collect donations for Ukraine

"Now we have to get out again," says Daniel Röder.

So many had asked him that it was a need for many supporters of the movement.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., the European and Ukrainian flags are to be waved at the Frankfurt Hauptwache, as in many other cities.

Among other things, a Frankfurt family that comes from the Ukraine and is now taking in the children of relatives who are fighting in their homeland should have their say.

"Every sign is important, we want to show solidarity and collect donations for a project," said Röder. After all, Russia's attack on Ukraine was also one on the EU: "If you look closely, Putin has declared war on the West. That's why it's now up to the Europeans to be careful that Russia's propaganda doesn't destabilize them even more.

This has been happening in Poland and the Czech Republic for a long time, as reported by the PoE groups there.