Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold

The (, ''"Black, Red, [and] Gold Banner of the Reich"'') was an organization in Germany during the Weimar Republic with the goal to defend German parliamentary democracy against internal subversion and extremism from the left and right and to compel the population to respect and honor the new Republic's flag and constitution. It was formed by members of the left-wing Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the centre-right to right-wing German Centre Party, and the centrist German Democratic Party in February 1924.

Organized militarily, the members wanted to ensure non-violent protection from the enemies of democracy. They refused to arm themselves, but were partly made up of veterans.

Its name is derived from the Flag of Germany adopted in 1919, the colors of which were associated with the Weimar Republic and liberal German nationalism, and incidentally, were also the traditional party colours of its three founding parties: the Centre Party (black), the Social Democratic Party (red), and the Democratic Party (gold).

While the was set up as a multiparty organization, it came to be strongly associated with the Social Democratic Party. The headquarters of the was located in Magdeburg, but it had branches elsewhere.

As a pro-democracy paramilitary organization, 's main opponents were the Communist Party of Germany and their on the far-left, and the Nazi Party and their (SA) on the far-right. Alongside these two primary opponents, they also combatted various reactionary nationalist paramilitary organizations. Following the Nazi takeover, members played a role in the anti-Nazi resistance.

The was reestablished in 1953, as , Bund aktiver Demokraten e.V. as an association for political education. The post war club is no longer a paramilitary organization but organizes remembrance and educational activities such as seminars and panels. Congruent with its historical makeup, it is officially open for members of all democratic parties but is closely associated with the SPD. It has connections with the Memorial to the German Resistance, the armed forces, and the police. Provided by Wikipedia