Wismar: 200 counter-demonstrators disrupt the city’s first CSD

At the first Christopher Street Day (CSD) on Saturday in Wismar, there were disruptive actions by right-wing alliances. In addition to the CSD, which had a peak attendance of around 2,100 people, an unregistered counter-demonstration with up to 200 participants took place, as the Wismar branch of the Rostock police headquarters announced.

Before both rallies began, participants of both rallies clashed at Wismar train station, and the police had to break up clashes between several people. A 30-year-old man hit a police officer several times with a pole, slightly injuring him.

According to the police, the 30-year-old was taken into custody until the end of the rally. An investigation has been launched against him, including for physically attacking law enforcement officers. In addition, officers had found and confiscated a blank-firing gun and a butterfly knife from two young people who were believed to be on their way to the counter-demonstration. Investigations have also been launched against the young people.

The CSD started in the afternoon on the Wismar market square. According to the police, the procession led past the Wismar train station, around the old town center and finally back to the market square. Demonstrators had been gathering in the Lindengarten since the morning for the counter-demonstration. The Wismar police station is reportedly accompanying the event with around 200 of its own police officers and supporting police officers from the Rostock police headquarters, the MV state riot police office and the MV state water protection police office.

Festival is “an important sign of acceptance”

Social Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) praised the colorful CSD festival “as an important sign of acceptance and self-determination,” as her ministry announced. In view of the disruptive actions of right-wing alliances, she said: “As a state government, we will not accept that people are discriminated against and threatened on the basis of their sexual identity or sexual orientation.”

Drese explained that in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, “everyone should be able to live and love freely.” Especially in times when attacks on the queer community have recently been accepted and when anti-freedom parties are gaining strength, such a commitment to the rights of the LGBTIQ* community is more important than ever. They are pleased that the CSD in Wismar provides an additional opportunity to stand up for tolerance, diversity and self-determination and to celebrate a colorful festival together. Drese: “We are all called upon to stand firmly against every form of hatred, exclusion and discrimination.”