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

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

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 masked attackers. This violence is directed against the commitment to diversity and tolerance and stands in sharp contrast to the basic principles of freedom of assembly, which Brandenburg's Interior Minister René Wilke (independent) emphasized as an essential good. In his statement, he strongly condemned the attack and stressed that the security of all democracies must be respected. He also announced that he would speak to those affected and the police on site in the afternoon to discuss the incident. According to a report in the Borkener Zeitung, the attackers, who probably consisted of a dozen people, had wooden sticks and other striking tools with them and directly attacked the rally against right-wing radicalism, leaving at least two people slightly injured.

The situation escalated around 12 p.m. when the masked perpetrators attacked. As Judith Strom, spokeswoman for the “Bad Freienwalde remains colorful” initiative, 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, bringing the security situation around political gatherings and demonstrations further into focus. The police, who were only present with 25 heavily armed officers, were unable to catch the perpetrators, who fled before the emergency services arrived. Investigations into grievous bodily harm and violation of the Assembly Act have been launched and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A climate of uncertainty

The incident highlights the increasing level of violence observed during political protests. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education The data shows that the majority of demonstrations in Germany are peaceful, but confrontational forms of protest and violence cannot be ruled out. Politically motivated violence remains a problem, exacerbated by differences in perceptions and assessments between protesters and police. The reports of increasing aggression at demos, be it from both sides, call for a rethink in the political and social debate.

The region around Bad Freienwalde, which is relatively small with around 12,000 inhabitants, is an example of the challenges faced by communities whose population is partly inclined towards extremist tendencies. In the last federal election, over 40% of citizens voted for the AfD, which is a clear sign of the political divide. The “Bad Freienwalde is colorful” initiative, launched in 2021, fights for acceptance and diversity, but today's incident highlights the risks that can come with such a commitment.

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