The "Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold, Bund der republikanischen Kriegsteilnehmer" (Black-Red-Gold Imperial Banner, League of Republican War Veterans) was founded in Magdeburg in February 1924 as a non-partisan alliance of the SPD, the liberal German Democratic Party, and the Catholic Center Party. The banner saw itself as a "protective organization for the republic and democracy." Initially conceived as a war veterans' association, it was both a registered association and a paramilitary fighting league.