CSD and right-wing protest in Döbeln

Hundreds of people demonstrate for the rights of the LGBTQ scene at Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Döbeln. At the same time, a right-wing extremist rally takes place in the central Saxon city.

Döbeln – Accompanied by right-wing counter-protests, hundreds of people celebrated Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Döbeln. Under the motto “Colorful flags against brown politics,” they marched through the central Saxon city, “at a clear distance” from a gathering of right-wing extremist groups. The police separated the camps and prevented direct encounters; there was visual contact and chants, as a spokeswoman for the Leipzig police department said. There were several reports of criminal offenses and administrative offenses. Around 180 officers were involved in the operation, including riot police and federal police.

Before the start of the parade with rainbow flags, officers found a foul-smelling liquid, presumably butyric acid, as the police announced in the evening. A complaint has been filed for damage to property in connection with attempted dangerous bodily harm. A connection with a vehicle inspection during the night was previously investigated. Officers noticed a foul smell in the van of the originally planned leader of the right-wing counter-demonstration, but found no substances.

Several criminal offenses and administrative offenses

According to the police, around 650 people took part in the rally and parade for the CSD. A 35-year-old and a 36-year-old were noticed for putting up stickers with political content on bus stops and lampposts on several occasions – and were reported for illegally putting up posters.

The counter-protest, with a peak of around 200 people, followed the CSD procession “at a clear distance of around 200 meters.” A 14-year-old and a 15-year-old are said to have shown the Hitler salute; they are being investigated on suspicion of using symbols of unconstitutional organizations. The young people were given space.

A 24-year-old was reported for insulting a CSD participant and a 22-year-old for publicly inciting criminal acts. According to reports, he acknowledged the police measures with a hand gesture, which violated the conditions of the gathering, and was reportedly reported again – as were a 19-year-old and another 22-year-old, as well as two unknown persons.

The CSD takes place every year in many cities around the world, in memory of the events of June 28, 1969 in New York: Police stormed a bar on Christopher Street, sparking protests lasting several days, including by gays, lesbians and transgender people. dpa