Attack on queer rally in Bad Freienwalde: Politics shocked!

Attack on queer rally in Bad Freienwalde: Politics shocked!

In Bad Freienwalde, Brandenburg, the mood on Sunday, June 16, 2025, was anything but peaceful. A festival for diversity, which took place under the motto “For a colorful Bad Freienwalde” and was particularly aimed at the queer community, was attacked by a group of 10 to 15 masked attackers. These attackers, equipped with batons, entered the event with brutal aggression, leaving at least two people slightly injured. The brutal attack not only shocked the participants, but also called the state government into action, which demanded immediate and rapid clarification. As the Tagesspiegel reports, a spokeswoman for the State Chancellery expressed her dismay and emphasized that such incidents are unacceptable.

The police have now started an investigation into dangerous bodily harm and are not ruling out a political background. In the commotion, the perpetrators fled before the officers arrived, but the police are now asking witnesses for help to clarify the incident. As n-tv reports, the action alliance “Brandenburg shows attitude” is shocked by the attack and is calling for increased commitment to a tolerant society.

Social resonance and concerns

The Amadeu Antonio Foundation has condemned the incident as a clear right-wing extremist attack and warns of the dangers that continue to exist for queer events. It becomes clear that such attacks on the queer scene are not an isolated case. A rainbow flag was recently lit in front of the town hall in Dallgow-Döberitz. These incidents come within a worrying context. According to a report by the Tagesschau, there has been an increase in disruptive actions over the past year, especially against Christopher Street Day (CSD) parades, which are being targeted by an increasingly violent right-wing extremist milieu.

What is particularly alarming is the trend that the focus on the queer scene has noticeably increased in Germany since June 2024. Around 20 rallies against CSD events were documented between June and September 2024, and these disruptive actions were often organized or dominated by militant right-wing extremist groups. Ministry statements show that the number of violent attacks on queer events has been increasing in recent years.

Political reactions and outlook

In view of this growing threat, Green Bundestag member Misbah Khan is calling for political answers to radicalization and criticizing the delay in the Democracy Promotion Act, which has been on hold for a year and a half. This law is intended to support non-profit organizations that work to promote democracy and prevent extremism.

The events in Bad Freienwalde make it clear that there is still a lot to do in combating right-wing extremism and supporting the queer community. The shocked society is now waiting for efficient measures to prevent such brutal attacks in the future.