CSD party cancelled due to security concerns
The queer community celebrates the Christopher Street Day in Bautzen - albeit differently than planned. An after-party scheduled to take place after the parade has been cancelled. Following a recent break-in at the intended location, concerns about right-wing extremist attacks are too high.
The organizers of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) Bautzen have cancelled a planned closing party this Saturday - citing security reasons. "We cannot take responsibility for this and currently do not have the necessary resources to secure and protect this event," CSD co-organizer Jonas Loeschau told "Freie Presse", referring to planned demonstrations by right-wing groups.
The Police Directorate of Görlitz confirmed that the organizers had cancelled a planned closing event following a cooperation meeting with the police. A spokeswoman for the Police Directorate of Görlitz did not provide any information on the reasons for the cancellation. According to her, a demonstration against the CSD under the motto "Against Gender Propaganda and Identity Confusion!!!" is planned, with 200 to 400 people registered. The far-right micro-party "Free Saxony" has also announced a protest with 30 to 50 participants. 500 people have registered for the CSD parade itself.
In the night from Thursday to Friday, unknown persons broke into the original venue of the closing event, a children and youth center, according to police reports. Cabinets and offices were broken into and 1500 euros were stolen, the police spokeswoman said. She could not say whether the break-in took place before or after the cancellation or if there is a connection.
Loeschau told the newspaper that the organizers had expected announcements of protests but not the extent of it. In an MDR interview, Loeschau advised CSD participants to only move around the city in groups during their arrival and departure. He sits on the city council and county council of Bautzen for the Greens. Green politician Katja Meier said she was appalled that an event had to be cancelled due to the tense security situation and strong right-wing extremist mobilization. "Hate and incitement against queer people are expressions of anti-human ideologies that have no place in our society," the Saxon Minister of Justice emphasized.
The Christopher Street Day takes place every year in many cities around the world and commemorates events on June 28, 1969: Police stormed the New York gay and lesbian bar "Stonewall Inn" in Christopher Street, sparking multi-day protests by gays, lesbians, and transgender people. The CSD is intended to remember the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, intersex, and queer people.
The cancellation of the CSD Bautzen's closing party was primarily due to concerns about potential right-wing extremist attacks, as revealed by the event's co-organizer. There have been announcements of protests against the CSD, including one by the far-right micro-party "Free Saxony," with around 30 to 50 participants.
