Berlin’s annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade drew hundreds of thousands of participants on Saturday, marking a vibrant display of LGBTQ+ pride and solidarity. While an official attendance figure was still pending late into the evening, estimates for previous years have reached as high as one million people.
Law enforcement maintained a significant presence throughout the day, responding to several incidents. A counter-demonstration organized by neo-Nazis near Alexanderplatz resulted in the arrest of six individuals, including the organizer. Charges were filed for offenses including insult, the display of symbols associated with unconstitutional organizations and violations of the explosives law. While the demonstration was registered for approximately 400 individuals, attendance ultimately numbered around 40 to 60 people.
Later in the evening, a separate demonstration in Kreuzberg, drawing roughly 10,000 participants, including approximately 800 individuals with pro-Palestinian affiliations, was also met with challenges. Reports indicate repeated instances of antisemitic slogans being shouted during the demonstration. Several individuals were arrested, followed by incidents involving the throwing of paint projectiles at law enforcement officers, ultimately leading to the dispersal of the demonstration by police.
