State security investigates: Protest posters in Schwerin are covered with Bundeswehr advertising!

State security investigates: Protest posters in Schwerin are covered with Bundeswehr advertising!

In Schwerin on June 16, 2025, one of the most surprising headlines of the day was: Secret actions by anti-military activists are a topic of conversation. The district around Keplerstrasse became the scene of a creative form of protest, also known as “adbusting”. Witnesses reported that Bundeswehr advertising posters were pasted over at tram stops in order to spread anti-Bundeswehr messages. This happened in the context of the first Veterans Day, which will be celebrated across Germany next Sunday. The central event in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania also took place in Schwerin, which further reinforces the symbolism of the protest.

The pasted-over posters show how activists are specifically targeting the Bundeswehr's advertising, which has been pushing into public spaces with large-scale campaigns since November 2015. This means not only a nuisance for the Bundeswehr, but also an ability to mobilize the public. This is more than just political provocation. As already described on bundeswehrabschaffen.de, “adbusting” is a type of communication guerrilla that creatively reinterprets and changes advertising.

Police and state security under pressure

After this incident, the state police's state security department began investigating. Some surveillance videos are already available and a suspect has been identified. The situation in Schwerin continues to be closely monitored, especially as similar incidents have been reported in Stralsund. The police have primarily taken on a preventive role to ensure public safety.

Further examples that were documented according to indymedia.org show how poignant these actions are. In Berlin, activists stuck oversized stickers on Bundeswehr advertising showcases and on posters with slogans that attracted a surprising amount of attention. Despite the police presence, these stickers remained visible in the cityscape until the weekend and their mocking design sparked a broad discussion.

A trend that is growing

Adbusting is a form of protest that is becoming increasingly established in German-speaking countries and sees military advertising as a work of art that can be creatively challenged. These protests are not only “nice trouble” for the Bundeswehr, they also show how divided public opinion is about military advertising. At a time when militaristic symbols are often rejected, it is clear that creative approaches to political protest are also very popular, and the Bundeswehr does not only reflect approval with its advertising campaigns.

Overall, the Bundeswehr's dealings with the public are being challenged in an increasingly critical society. As the events in Schwerin show, there is a growing need to protest creatively and courageously against martial advertising. It will be interesting to see how the next few days go and what other activities are planned.