CSD in Berlin ( Creek Side Dock in English) - Christopher Street Day expects 500,000 - Wegner's speech open
For Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin, organizers expect around 500,000 people on July 27th. The Berlin CSD is one of the largest events for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-, intergender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in Europe. It is unclear whether Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner will open the declared demonstration parade. The CSD is still negotiating about the conditions.
Creativity required
The CSD organizers are calling for the anchoring of rights for queer people in Article Three of the Basic Law. "We really want to take decisive steps forward because Article Three doesn't just need a Bundesrat initiative that is majority-supported in the Senate, but it also needs a communications initiative to bring the Federal-CDU on board," said Marcel Voges for the Berlin CSD board. "Mr. Wegner's creativity is particularly important in this matter."
Regarding the issue of hate crimes, the CSD also expects Wegner to promote the further development of measures and secure financing for it. "We need clear signals for binding steps, a mere lip service commitment is not enough," said Voges.
Whether Wegner will open the parade on July 27th is still uncertain, according to the spokeswoman of the Senate Chancellery, Christine Richter. No request or invitation from the CSD has been received yet.
Traditionally, the opening is the responsibility of the Senate leadership. The CSD organizing association last made several demands that the CDU politician and the Senate must first fulfill. When Wegner hoisted the rainbow flag at the Rotes Rathaus in early July, representatives of the CSD organizing association spoke to him about their concerns and handed him a poster with their core demands.
No room for antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism
Seventy-five trucks are planned for the CSD procession. The demonstration will run from Leipziger Straße to Nollendorfplatz and end at the Siegesäule. The closing ceremony is planned for the area between Siegesäule and Brandenburger Tor.
For safety reasons, the organizers are in close contact with the police. Jewish people should be able to feel safe during the procession. "At CSD, there is no room for antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism," said Voges. The CSD will distance itself if there are incidents or corresponding contributions.
- Marcel Voges, speaking on behalf of the Berlin CSD board, highlighted the need for Kai Wegner's creativity in pushing for the inclusion of queer rights in Article Three of the German Basic Law, stating, "We really want to take decisive steps forward because Article Three doesn't just need a Bundesrat initiative that is majority-supported in the Senate, but it also needs a communications initiative to bring the Federal-CDU on board."
- Regarding the issue of hate crimes, Voges emphasized the importance of clear signals from Kai Wegner for binding steps, saying, "We need clear signals for binding steps, a mere lip service commitment is not enough."
- Demonstrating a zero-tolerance policy towards intolerance, Voges asserted, "At CSD, there is no room for antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism."
