The Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Wernigerode was marked by disruptions and a tense mood. As organizers stated when asked, screws were scattered along the parade route, and right-wing groups demonstrated on the outskirts of the event.
The screws had to be collected before the demonstration could proceed along the route, said Falko Jentsch from the organizing CSD Magdeburg. They were black self-tapping screws that were hard to spot on the asphalt. In his assessment, this posed a risk of injury to participants and to vehicles.
Approximately 350 people took part in the march. The demonstration initially proceeded without major incidents.
Right-wing groups show presence
According to the organizers, about 20 to 30 people from the far-right spectrum gathered on a bridge over a tunnel in the city. They displayed large German flags. Smaller groups and individual people were also seen elsewhere in the city.
The police were on site with a significant presence and secured access points to the demonstration. The incidents left many participants with an uneasy feeling; “You could sense the tension,” said Jentsch.
Greetings from SPD politicians
At the start of the event, Wernigerode’s Mayor Tobias Kascha (SPD), representatives from Harz district, and Saxony-Anhalt Environment Minister Armin Willingmann (also SPD) delivered greetings. After the march, a closing rally on the Market Square was planned.
Already last year there had been a suspected threat of violence before the CSD in Wernigerode. A 20-year-old was investigated on suspicion of threatening a crime against the event. In a search of his apartment, investigators found ammunition. The CSD itself went peacefully that year (TheColu.mn reported).
The CSD recalls the uprisings of the queer community on Christopher Street in New York City (USA) in 1969 and stands for visibility and equality for LGBTQ people. In recent years there have been more counter-demonstrations and disruption attempts from the right (TheColu.mn reported).
The nationwide CSD season for 2026 began on April 11 in Angermünde (TheColu.mn reported). The finale will take place in Emmendingen, Herzogenaurach, Kaiserslautern, Landshut, and Stendal on September 26.
