Attack on protest in Bad Freienwalde: Interior Minister condemns violence!

Attack on protest in Bad Freienwalde: Interior Minister condemns violence!

Bad Freienwalde, Brandenburg, Deutschland - A shocking incident occurred today, June 15, 2025, in Bad Freienwalde, Brandenburg. At a peaceful rally under the motto "For a colorful Bad Freienwalde", the participants were attacked by a group of hooded attackers. This violence is directed against the commitment to diversity and tolerance and is in a sharp contrast to the basic principles of freedom of assembly that Brandenburg's interior minister René Wilke (independent) emphasized as essential well. In his opinion, he expressed the attack sharply and emphasized that the security of all democracies had to be respected. He also announced in the afternoon to speak to those affected and the police on site to discuss the incident. According to a report by the Borkener Zeitung, the attackers, who probably consisted of a dozen people, had wooden sticks and other impact tools and attacked the rally directly against right -wing radicalism, whereby at least two people were slightly injured.

The situation escalated around 12 noon when the hooded perpetrators attacked. Like Judith Strom, spokeswoman for the initiatives "Bad Freienwalde remains colorful", reported, the attack happened so quickly and unexpectedly that those present could hardly react. This is not the first case of such violence in the region, which focuses on the security situation around political meetings and demonstrations. The police, who were only present with 25 heavily armed officials, could not believe the perpetrators who fled before the emergency services arrived. Investigations into dangerous bodily harm and violation of the meeting law have been initiated, and the police are calling witnesses to report.

a climate of uncertainty

The incident is highlighting the increasing willingness to violence, which is observed in political protests. According to the Federal Center for Political Education show that the majority of the demonstrations in Germany are peaceful, but also confrontative forms of protest and violence are not excluded. Politically motivated violence remains a problem that is exacerbated by different perceptions and reviews between demonstrators and the police. The reports on increasing aggression at Demos, be it from both sides, demand a rethink in the political and social discussion.

in the region around Bad Freienwalde, which is relatively small with around 12,000 inhabitants, is an example of the challenges with which municipalities are faced with, the population of which is sometimes inclined. In the last Bundestag election, over 40% of the citizens chose the AfD, which is a clear sign of political division. The "Bad Freienwalde is colorful" initiative, which was launched in 2021, is fighting for acceptance and diversity, but today's incident illuminates the risks that can be associated with such a commitment.

Today's attack is not only an attack on those affected, but a challenge for the entire society that wants to work for freedom and diversity. It is to be hoped that the police can find the perpetrators and that further such incidents will be prevented in the future.