CSD events in Berlin and Brandenburg: Safety in danger!

CSD events in Berlin and Brandenburg: Safety in danger!

The coming days will be dominated by diversity, but also danger. This weekend, more precisely on June 22nd and 23rd, 2025, several Christopher Street Day (CSD) events will take place in Berlin and Brandenburg. Marzahn Pride, the CSD in Eberswalde and a bicycle pride in Potsdam will shape the cityscape. But the anticipation of the celebration is overshadowed by significant safety concerns. So reported rbb24 from right-wing counter-events that use similar routes to the CSDs, which increases the risk of confrontations.

Gala T., the organizer of Marzahn Pride, is concerned about the safety of the participants. She speaks of anti-queer insults and threats that are increasingly becoming a problem at these events. In particular, the right-wing extremist group “German Youth Forward” is associated with the counter-demonstration. A ringleader of this group was recently sentenced to more than three years in prison.

Threats and violence are increasing

The situation is serious, and it's not just Gala T. who is worried. Marco Klingberg from the Brandenburg police warns of a “new quality of right-wing violence”. This makes measures that increase safety all the more important; The police will increase their presence and recommend traveling in groups and not displaying queer symbols too conspicuously. In addition, the security concepts for the events are being further improved, and stewards have been trained to support the participants.

The numbers speak for themselves: In 2023, 1,785 anti-queer crimes were recorded in Germany - an increase of 50 percent compared to the previous year. The most common crimes were insults, acts of violence and threats against the LGBTQ+ community. This is also reflected in the increase in anti-queer crimes in Brandenburg, which rose from 68 in 2023 to 118 in 2024, according to information from Daily Mirror.

A climate of fear

The organizers have to contend with numerous challenges. According to Kai Bölle from the CSD Germany association, there is a massive increase in online threats not only during the demos, but also beforehand, which creates a climate of fear. Young right-wing extremists are calling for massive counter-actions and putting pressure on CSD events. This is also confirmed by a report from daily news, which describes those who specifically target queer people or make threats against them.

Now is the time to stick together and ensure your own safety. The police and the organizers ask participants to report threats immediately. It is important that people do not allow themselves to be intimidated, but rather confidently stand up for their rights. It remains to be hoped that the upcoming CSDs will be peaceful and can take a stand against increasing anti-queer sentiment.