Shock attack at the diversity festival in Bad Freienwalde: first arrest!

Shock attack at the diversity festival in Bad Freienwalde: first arrest!

A frightening incident happened in Bad Freienwalde on Sunday. During the “Diversity Festival,” which was intended as a symbol against anti-queer hostility and right-wing extremism, around 10 to 15 masked men attacked the event. At least two people were injured in this attack. The perpetrators, equipped with sticks and other striking tools, presumably belong to the right-wing extremist group “Third Way”. This organization is known as a neo-fascist party and has gained public attention in recent years through its aggressive youth work. According to Tagesspiegel, a first suspect who has connections to the right-wing extremist scene has already been arrested.

Regarding the background to the attack, it should be said that the “Diversity Festival” took place under the motto “Bad Freienwalde is colorful” and brought activists from different areas together. It was a family event with activities for young and old, including cake stalls and workshops. Despite the relatively small number of participants of around 50 people, which mainly included families with children, the determination to take a stand against discrimination was strong. Nevertheless, the Volksverpetzer complains about the increasing influence of such aggressive, right-wing extremist groups, which are heavily polluting the atmosphere in Brandenburg.

Right-wing extremism in Germany

Statistics from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution show that the threat from violent right-wing extremist groups is growing in Germany. In 2024, an increase to around 15,300 people was recorded, and the number of right-wing extremist crimes rose to 37,835. Particularly alarming is the increase in violent attacks, which rose by 11.6% to 1,281 cases in the year. This has fueled concern about the radical elements in society, especially among young people, who are increasingly target groups for such neo-fascist ideologies, as also reported by Verfassungsschutz.

The perpetrator, who was arrested in Bad Freienwalde, is a young man from Bliesdorf who had taken part in right-wing extremist demonstrations in the past. In 2024, he even attempted to disrupt similar festivals several times, but his attacks have so far been successfully repelled. The fact that the attackers specifically targeted people who advocate diversity and against prejudice shows the ugly face of current right-wing extremism in Germany. Danger hangs like a shadow over these events, which should actually represent a sign of hope and cohesion.

Commitment to diversity

Despite the threatening situation, the attitude of the alliance that organized the festival remains determined. In a statement, they emphasized their commitment to a diverse and solidarity-based society and called for continued action against hatred and discrimination. Those present, including many families, were able to show at this moment that they were not intimidated by the aggression. Stewards bravely stood up to the masked people, which prevented anything worse from happening.

All of these events illustrate how important it is to take a clear stand against growing right-wing extremism. At a time when the ideology of hate seems to be in high demand again, we must stand up and stand up for what makes our country strong: the diversity and acceptance of all people, regardless of their origin or sexual orientation.