Monday, 28 June
Police shut down queer protest at CSD Berlin
Saturday’s Christopher Street Day in Berlin wasn’t limited to the official parade. Across town in Kreuzberg, around 10,000 people joined the “Internationalist Queer Pride for Liberation” – a protest that focused on solidarity with Palestine and resistance to racism, colonialism, and capitalism. It began at Südstern and was meant to end at Oranienplatz. It didn’t make it that far.
Berlin police intervened and shut down the demonstration hours early, citing “attacks on officers” and alleged antisemitic chants. According to police, glass bottles and paint were thrown, and officers were struck with flagpoles. There were supposedly 17 police officers injured. Video footage circulating online also shows police using force against protestors – including dragging people to the ground. Police did not say whether any protesters were injured, or comment on footage displaying aggressive arrests.
Fifty-seven people were detained and 54 criminal complaints filed, including charges of assault and property damage. Organisers say the police overreacted and escalated tensions unnecessarily. Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner had already commented on the protest ahead of time, telling Welt TV that police would intervene “robustly and consistently.”
The forceful response adds to a growing list of controversial police interventions at demonstrations in Berlin – many of which have drawn criticism from human rights groups. The Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner had previously warned that Berlin police must respect the right to assembly, citing concerns about use of excessive force.
