Falkensee celebrates diversity: CSD defies right-wing extremist counter-protests!

Falkensee celebrates diversity: CSD defies right-wing extremist counter-protests!

On Saturday afternoon, July 5, 2025, a Christopher Street Day (CSD) took place in Falkensee, under the motto diversity and tolerance. Several hundred people came together to demonstrate for their concerns. Despite a counter-demonstration that only consisted of a few dozen participants, the parade was peaceful. There was a heavy police presence to ensure the safety of protesters and, according to a police spokeswoman, there were no disruptions during the event. The rainbow flag flew at the town hall, a sign of togetherness, which, however, is not shared by everyone. The AfD spoke out against flying the rainbow flag in January, highlighting the tensions surrounding the symbolism.

The counter-demonstrators wore eye-catching T-shirts with the inscription “Deutsche Jugend Voran” and slogans such as “loyal to the homeland” and “ready to fight”. One banner even read “No to the CSD!!!”. This youth group, which is classified as right-wing extremist by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, is known for misanthropic activities that are directed against queer people and political dissidents. In June, an attack on a diversity festival in Bad Freienwalde was also reported, in which several people were injured, highlighting the dangers that can result from such extremist attitudes.

Right-wing extremism in focus

The Berlin Office for the Protection of the Constitution recently targeted new right-wing extremist groups. Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution Michael Fischer announced that the observed groups would no longer just be classified as suspected cases, but as “proven right-wing extremist”. This also includes the “Deutsche Jugend Voran”, which has carried out disruptive actions against CSD events in the past. These groups specifically use social media and digital platforms to recruit young people for their ideologies, for example under the pretext of lifestyle topics such as nutrition and nature.

Monitoring these extremist networks has increased in urgency as Fischer warned that dangerous actions could result from online hate. The right-wing extremist scene has changed significantly in recent years and is no longer just a phenomenon on the Internet, but is also increasingly showing its presence on the streets. This also left its mark on the CSD in Falkensee.

Anti-queer ideologies

A central element of right-wing extremist ideology is group-based misanthropy, which is specifically directed against the LGBTIQ movement. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is also increasingly observing anti-queer statements on the Internet and an increase in protest actions during Pride Month. Right-wing extremists reject diversity in sexual orientation and propagate a heteronormative view, which they present as “natural”.

In recent years, disruptive actions against CSD events have taken place across the country, often with participation in the three-digit range. These actions were organized not only by classic right-wing extremist organizations, but also by violence-oriented internet groups. The use of defamatory content and mobilization against queer people have become a recurring pattern.

The events in Falkensee therefore reflect not only a local but also a national problem, which showed how important visibility, solidarity and the commitment to diversity are in society. Activist Sister Daphne emphasized that this visibility is essential to counteract the challenges queer people face.