Attack on diversity: Masked people attack a festival in Bad Freienwalde!

Attack on diversity: Masked people attack a festival in Bad Freienwalde!

On Sunday there was a violent attack on a festival for diversity in Bad Freienwalde, Brandenburg, which had the motto “Bad Freienwalde is colorful”. Shortly before the start of the event, masked attackers, who according to the police numbered between 10 and 15 people, used striking tools and wooden sticks. At least two people suffered minor injuries in this brutal attack. This was confirmed by Morgenpost.

The attackers were repelled by the security provided, but the police were unable to prevent the attack because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jule Grienitz, spokeswoman for the organizer alliance, was on site during the attack and reported injured people with bleeding wounds and bruises. Despite these frightening incidents, the festival continued and was protected by police, showing the participants' determination not to be intimidated.

Reactions and investigations

The trauma that occurred and the subsequent statements from the authorities caused consternation in the region. Interior Minister René Wilke described the attack as “a new dimension of violence” and called for the incident to be clarified quickly. Alliances for tolerance and against right-wing extremism also reacted with shock to the incident. The Alliance “Brandenburg Shows Attitude” expressed concern that such attacks weaken democratic engagement and spread fear.

The public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into a serious breach of the peace, and the suspicion that an attacker is connected to the right-wing extremist party "The Third Way" is being examined. However, as the Amadeu Antonio Foundation states, this attack is not an isolated case, but part of a worrying development in which attacks continue to occur during Pride Month and at other queer events.

A deeper problem

When looking at the background, it becomes clear that anti-queer agitation is a central component of right-wing extremist ideologies. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is observing an increase in such attacks and is reporting actions that are specifically aimed at CSD events. The right-wing extremist scene sees the LGBTQ+ movement as an enemy and uses it to propagate their discriminatory ideologies.

The attack in Bad Freienwalde is in a larger context: Similar incidents have occurred nationwide in recent years, sometimes involving hundreds of participants who belonged to right-wing groups and violence-oriented online groups. These show that the protection of diversity and democratic values ​​is urgently needed, especially in times when right-wing extremist forces want to stir up fear and divide society.

The tragic events in Bad Freienwalde should inspire us all to work more actively for a tolerant and respectful society. Because only together can we take a stand against violence and discrimination.