CSD Eberswalde: Colorful protest against right-wing threats expected!

CSD Eberswalde: Colorful protest against right-wing threats expected!

The second Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Eberswalde is just around the corner and is already causing a stir in advance. Next Saturday, June 21st, the demonstration procession will move through the city center from 1 p.m. There is great anticipation for the event, the organizers expect between 1,500 and 2,000 participants - a significant increase compared to last year, when around 1,000 people came. But the event, which is part of two so-called “Queer Weeks”, is accompanied by a worrying background. As team.com reports, a connection with a recent violent attack in Bad Freienwalde is causing increased police presence. The police will not only be on site with additional forces, but also with dogs to ensure the safety of the participants.

Now more than ever, it is important for organizers to send a strong message against all types of intimidation. “There is a hostile mood against queer people in the city,” says Max Armonies, the initiator and spokesman for the CSD, emphasizing the challenges that the community is facing. The attitude of the AfD, which organizes a summer festival parallel to the CSD on the market square, further reinforces these challenges. Among other things, she is calling for a ban on the rainbow flag on public buildings and is being observed by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a suspected right-wing extremist case.

The security situation and the political context

The current developments are not just limited to Eberswalde. In many regions of Eastern Germany, the threat to CSDs from right-wing actors is increasing. In Saxony-Anhalt, where the CSD season has already begun, security issues and fears of right-wing extremist attacks are central issues for the organizers. According to tagesschau.de, the first CSD of the 2025 Pride season in Schönebeck was dissolved early after the police found inadequate security personnel. Right-wing radical mobilizations against various CSD events are now the order of the day.

The local political situation remains tense in Eberswalde. Although the city supports the Queer Weeks with 1,900 euros, AfD and CDU politicians prevented cultural funding for the CSD. Activists call for joint preparation for possible attacks and emphasize the need for collective protective measures. More and more people are taking responsibility to ensure safety and organizing support tours to CSDs.

Make a strong statement

The CSD organizers in Eberswalde have also come up with a variety of events this season. The “Queer Weeks” offer workshops, concerts, exhibitions and networking meetings. The community shows solidarity and is not discouraged by the existing threats. A statement by East German CSDs emphasized the importance of showing presence and not allowing oneself to be intimidated.

Especially in times when queer life is increasingly threatened by right-wing threatening gestures, the CSD is not only a celebration of diversity, but also a political statement. The mood in society has changed in recent years and many queer people feel unsafe. This was also made clear by feedback from young people whose parents forbade them to take part in events out of fear. Such developments, as described in taz.de, are alarming and must be taken seriously.

But despite these difficult conditions, the community shows courage and determination. The CSD Eberswalde will not only set an example, but will also articulate the voices of all those involved loud and clear. It remains to be hoped that many people will come together to stand up for the rights and freedoms of the queer community and fight for respectful coexistence.