On the edge of Göttingen’s Christopher Street Day (CSD), a stand operator was subjected to verbal threats. Police said that a 52-year-old man from the Northeim district allegedly intimidated the operator on Saturday evening at Albaniplatz during an argument. The state protection service has taken over the investigation and is also examining a possible queer-phobic motive.
The incident occurred around 6:25 p.m. as part of the CSD street festival, which followed the procession through the city center. An investigation was opened against the intoxicated suspect. After the police measures were completed, he was issued a ban from the area.
At the CSD parade, police estimates suggested that at its peak around 1,500 people participated, while a report in the Göttinger Tageblatt described it as “thousands of people.” The parade itself proceeded without incident. Afterwards, participants celebrated on Albaniplatz with a street festival featuring a stage program and numerous stalls.
This year, the police were deployed with enhanced contingents. According to authorities, there were no concrete indications beforehand of planned disruptions. The Göttingen Police’s LGBTQI information desk was represented for the first time outside the main street festival.
Marcy Ellerton
