Scrupless attack on diversity: Bad Freienwalde shaken!

Scrupless attack on diversity: Bad Freienwalde shaken!

A violent incident in Bad Freienwalde, which was under the motto diversity and against queer hostility, clouded the street festival on Sunday afternoon. A group of 10 to 15 masked stormed the festival shortly before the official opening and injured at least two people, including families with children. The attackers were armed with impact tools and wooden sticks and show a high degree of organization, which can be seen from statements from eyewitnesses. A command "demolition" was used, which indicates a targeted approach. The incident is classified as a right -wing extremist. The taz reports that an attacker was seen with a black and white-red storm hood.

The police, who was not initially on site, only occurred after the incident. The state protection is now determined by the state protection, whereby the perpetrators fled immediately and could not be identified by Sunday evening. In addition, there were reports of an unsafe police presence despite previous references to possible disorders. Samuel Signer, head of the meeting, was critical of the response time of the police and their commitment.

solidarity and reactions

In the result of the attack, numerous politicians and groups spoke up. Brandenburg's interior minister René Wilke condemned the crime as an attack on social coexistence and demanded a rapid information. The Amadeu Antonio Foundation also gave the incident a clear expression of extremist violence and warned of vigilance, especially in future queer events. The current developments show a worrying increase in queer-hostile crimes in Germany, as is documented in the report on crime. In 2023, more than 1,700 such crimes were registered, which corresponds to an increase of almost 50% compared to the previous year

politicians such as Katrin Göring-Eckardt and Erik Stohn described the incident as organized intimidation, while AfD state chairman René Springer demanded a complete education and a conviction of all acts of violence from political camps

a feast for diversity despite the violence

Despite the attack, the festival continued with a significantly reduced mood and under heavily armed police presence. The organizers of the "Bad Freienwalde is colorful" alliance continued to campaign for a sign of diversity and against discrimination, which became clear by the participation of around 400 people, including queer and people with escape and migration experience. The festival celebrated its fifth edition this year, and against right -wing extremism threats was urgently warned. The reporting on such incidents and solidarity with the victims are essential to promote visibility for a colorful and diverse Brandenburg.

The incidents in Bad Freienwalde are not isolated. Again and again there are disturbances and threats to similar events. The concern for concerns among young people in the region, as described by Tom Kurz by the counseling center for victims of right -wing violence, is a challenge that has to face politics and society.