- Security concerns: CSD graduation party cancelled in Bautzen
Organizers of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Bautzen have cancelled a planned closing party on Saturday due to security concerns, they announced. "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".
The police directorate in Görlitz confirmed that the organizers had cancelled a planned closing event following a cooperation meeting with the police. However, a spokesperson for the police directorate in Görlitz did not provide any information on the reasons for the cancellation.
According to their statements, 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 "Freie Sachsen" also announced a protest with 30 to 50 participants. For the CSD parade itself, 500 people are registered.
Unknown individuals broke into the original venue of the closing event, a youth center, overnight on Thursday, according to police. Cupboards and offices were broken into and 1500 euros were stolen, the police spokesperson said. It is not known whether the break-in occurred before or after the cancellation, or if there is a connection.
Organizer: Did not expect scale of protest
Loeschau told the newspaper that the organizers had expected announcements of protests but not the scale. In an interview with MDR, Loeschau advised CSD participants to only move around the city in groups during their arrival and departure. He is a member of the Green Party and sits on both the Bautzen city council and the Bautzen district council.
Green politician Katja Meier said she was appalled that an event had to be cancelled due to security concerns 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 raided the New York gay and lesbian bar "Stonewall Inn" on Christopher Street, sparking days of protests by gays, lesbians, and transgender people. The CSD aims to remember the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, intersex, and queer people.
The organizers are now seeking an alternative venue for the cancelled closing party, as the disruption surrounding the building was deemed too risky. Despite the cancellation, the CSD parade with over 500 registered participants is still set to take place.
