CSD in Oranienburg: Right-wing counter-demonstration announced

Am 21. September 2024 soll in Oranienburg der zweite CSD stattfinden. Rechte Gruppierungen haben eine Gegendemo angekündigt. Es könnte zur kurzfristigen CSD-Absage kommen.

18. September 2024 um 05:30 UhrOranienburg

Ein Artikel von

Marco Winkler

Christopher Street Day: Oranienburg 09.09.2023 1. CSD Oberhavel, impressions from the demonstration and the final rally, photo: Karsten Schirmer — The second Christopher Street Day (CSD) will take place in Oranienburg on September 21, 2024. A counter demonstration has been registered. CSD initiator Boldt-Händel speaks of a threatening situation.

Karsten Schirmer

There had already been a slight threat situation in the run-up to the CSD premiere, as initiator Candy Boldt-Händel said in May 2024. The Oranienwerk as the venue had received threatening phone calls, and the right-wing extremist micro-party “The Third Way” distributed flyers along the route warning against homosexuals as a “danger to the German people”.

Demonstration against the CSD in Oranienburg from the right wing?

Initiator Candy Boldt-Händel – he is running as a direct candidate for the state parliament for Die Linke on September 22 – is reticent to provide information about the route for 2024. There have been repeated disruptive actions at the CSD demonstrations this year, including in Bautzen by the right-wing extremist party Free Saxony and in Dresden by the right-wing extremist group “Elblandrevolte”.

Right-wing extremists also caused unrest in Bernau, stones were thrown at CSD participants in Eisenhüttenstadt, and it remained quiet in Frankfurt (Oder). Rumors that the “Elbland Revolt” – a local group of the Young Nationalists – had announced their arrival in Oranienburg have not been officially confirmed. One thing is certain: a counter-demonstration is planned that has problems with the queer way of life.

The Northern Police Directorate confirmed this when asked. The press office is reluctant to provide further information. “Everyone should be given the opportunity to express their opinion,” said police spokesman Joachim Lemmel. He referred to the right of assembly. “If there are any disruptive actions, we will be there.” There are more officers on duty than usual, and two gatherings need to be accompanied and secured.

It has not been officially communicated which spectrum the counter-demonstration will come from. According to information from the editorial team, it will be several right-wing and right-wing extremist groups, and 300 participants are said to be registered.

It could be that both groups will briefly confront each other, similar to AfD rallies and counter-demonstrations in the past. There is no confirmation of this. Joachim Lemmel only speaks of two demarcated areas.

Candy Boldt-Händel is in charge of organizing the CSD in Oranienburg. He is also running for the state parliament for the Left Party in 2024.

Karsten Schirmer

On Tuesday (September 17th) there were further talks between the police and the CSD initiative about the security situation. For a short time, there was talk of cancelling the CSD. Candy Boldt-Händel made it clear: “The CSD is taking place. Cancelling the demo now would send the wrong signal.” Nevertheless, he is also alarmed and has security in mind.

The counter-demonstrators, most of whom will probably arrive by train, want to meet at the train station at 12 noon and then march through the city. Many CSD participants are also arriving by train. The Oranienburg Christopher Street Day starts at 1 p.m. on the corner of Lehnitzstrasse and Lindenstrasse.

The queer community and right-wing counter-demonstrators will most likely meet at the train station. Candy Boldt-Händel advises CSD participants not to travel alone, but in groups, even if everything will be secured by the police.

His organization team, stall operators, bands and artists – the CSD festival begins at 3 p.m. on the Schlossplatz – will all be in touch online on Thursday (September 19). “I hope everyone stays with it,” says Boldt-Händel. “We will now also be looking for more volunteer stewards. We must not let ourselves be intimidated.” He wants to mobilize as many people as possible to set an example for diversity and the visibility of queer lifestyles at the CSD.

Nevertheless, safety comes first for him and his team. “If we notice on Saturday morning that the danger is so high that the CSD is not responsible, we will make a decision.” That could be a different route, a cancellation of the rally, the festival or the entire event. The threat situation is being taken seriously.

topicnews · September 18, 2024

CSD in Oranienburg: Right-wing counter-demonstration announced – police and initiator alerted

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