Attack on demo in Bad Freienwalde: Wilke vigorously condemns violence!

Attack on demo in Bad Freienwalde: Wilke vigorously condemns violence!

In Bad Freienwalde, located in the Märkisch-Oderland district, a scandalous incident occurred on June 15, 2025, which once again brought freedom of assembly in Germany into the spotlight. Around midday, masked attackers attacked participants in a protest under the motto “For a colorful Bad Freienwalde”. This demonstration was aimed at right-wing extremist tendencies in the region, but the violent incident quickly made it clear that not everyone appreciates the value of diversity of opinion. Minister René Wilke strongly condemned the attack and made it clear: “The right to assemble is a fundamental asset of our democracy.”

According to reports, around a dozen masked people used wooden sticks and other impact weapons to injure two people, aged 47 and 54. The dispute, which was not only directed against the demonstration but also against a neighboring family and children's festival, leaves behind questions about security and social cohesion. Although the police arrived quickly on the scene, they were unable to prevent the attackers from escaping before security forces could intervene. A comprehensive investigation, which also includes a violation of the assembly law, has already been initiated, specifically by the state security agency.

A worrying climate

The events in Bad Freienwalde highlight a larger problem: the increasing restrictions on freedom of assembly in Germany. According to Amnesty International, the right to freedom of expression is increasingly restricted by repressive legislation and even preventive detention. “Protests are often perceived as a threat to public safety, which results in the criminalization of peaceful gatherings,” explains Paula Zimmermann, freedom of assembly expert at Amnesty. This also happens in a context where climate activists in particular are increasingly facing repression.

Wilke, who spoke to those affected and the police in the afternoon, was concerned about the violence and emphasized the important role that diversity of opinions plays in the democratic process. “Attacks on people who register their legitimate protest endanger our coexistence as a whole,” was his urgent appeal. The situation is also not easy in Bad Freienwalde, where over 40% of AfD voters cast their votes in the 2025 federal election. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has identified the city as a meeting point for the right-wing scene, which makes the situation even more difficult for counter-demonstrators.

A call to defend rights

In view of these developments, both Minister Wilke and human rights organizations call for a resolute defense of inalienable rights and freedoms. The events in Bad Freienwalde must be seen as a warning signal, not only for the region, but for all of Germany. “We must be vigilant and fulfill our responsibility to protect freedom of assembly as a cornerstone of our society,” concludes Wilke and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

The incident shows once again that the social climate is sometimes tense and how important it is to work for a pluralistic society. This is the only way to ensure that everyone has the freedom to raise their voices without fear of attacks or repression.