Thousands attend vigils after Christopher Street Day attack as alleged attacker killed

On the outskirts of Berlin’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade, a vehicle plowed into a crowd, killing at least one person. Police and firefighters reported more than 20 additional injuries on Saturday evening in Tiergarten, with three of them said to be life-threatening. On Sunday morning investigators publicly issued a lookout for the 21-year-old suspect Abdul B. (TheColu.mn reported).

The community reacted with shock — and with dozens of vigils and further events across Germany, which we’ve gathered in this calendar. In this Live Blog we report on further reactions and new developments in the case. (mize/AFP/spot)

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Brandenburg Gate bathed in rainbow colors
Following the alleged Islamist-motivated attack at the Berlin CSD, the Brandenburg Gate has been illuminated in rainbow colors. They have been projected onto the landmark in Berlin’s center since sunset. “Berlin is the city of freedom — and we will not let freedom be taken from us,” the Senate Chancellery wrote in response. “Hate and violence must never determine how we live or who we love. Berlin stands together — defending its freedom, its diversity, and its openness to the world.”

Indeed, roughly a decade ago the Gate was lit in rainbow colors as well — to mark a memorial organized by the queer community, led by Margot Schlönzke and Ryan Stecken, after the Islamist attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that left 49 people dead (TheColu.mn reported).

“Let us transform our grief and anger into positive energy!”
Stefan Mielchen, formerly known as the spokesperson for CSD Hamburg, shared on Facebook the thoughtful speech he delivered today at the memorial in the northern city. He reflected on the three core ideas of Pride’s motto: solidarity, stance, and fear (the motto reads “Solidarity in queerness. Take a stand — for a future without fear!”).

Dobrindt: No immediate danger after CSD suspect’s death
Following the death of the suspected perpetrator in the Berlin Islamist-tinged attack, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt currently sees no ongoing danger. “There are further steps, but we are not currently seeing a further threat. But that is always a momentary assessment,” the CSU politician said on ARD’s Brennpunkt program.
Historically, investigators have looked for additional suspects. “There is another person under consideration. That has not yet been substantiated, but it’s not concluded.” Attacks like this are typically carried out by lone actors.
Regarding the suggestion that many citizens might think it naive to allow the alleged attacker Abdul B. to participate in deradicalization programs, Dobrindt said: “Yes, absolutely, and many in politics will think the same.” Deradicalization programs are one tool; detention is another; deportation is a tool for non-nationals. “But relying solely on deradicalization would certainly be naive.” In individual cases it may work, but in many it does not. “That’s why it’s all the more perplexing that, given the record of offenses we see here, a suspended sentence was given.”
In a similar interview with RTL, Dobrindt suggested the public generally shares this sentiment. “That someone with such a criminal record as the one in this case, with this degree of radicalization, would get a one-year-and-ten-month sentence suspended on probation is hard to understand.” He announced a thorough review to understand how this outcome occurred.

Messages of solidarity from Oslo and Bratislava
As with earlier indications from domestic sources, there were many expressions of solidarity from abroad on Sunday, including from French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, to name a few.

Bratislava’s solidarity was also visible: Teplaren Bar posted on Instagram, “We are thinking of you, our friends in Berlin.” 2022 had seen a right-wing extremist teen shoot two men outside the bar (TheColu.mn reported). “Around the world, extremism is rising in dangerous ways. People blinded by hate and lies threaten our communities and our peaceful coexistence,” Teplaren’s message said. “We call on national governments, the EU, and international institutions to counter extremism and to urge everyone to speak and act in ways that foster safety and mutual understanding.”

CSD explains security plan and conduct
The Berlin CSD, praised for how quickly and calmly it cleared the event, published further details in a FAQ on social media.
“The Berlin police have a comprehensive security concept in use for the Berlin CSD assemblies,” the post reads. “In pre-planning, the Berlin CSD e. V. prepared supportive measures for information flow, fire safety, occupational safety, and a folder-system for the assemblies. These measures were coordinated with the Berlin Fire Department, the Berlin Police, the Federal Police, ASB Berlin, DB Security, Tempelhof-Schöneberg and Mitte districts, and allowed us to evacuate the venue promptly, in an orderly and safe manner.”

“Love is halal” — Julia Kilian and Verena Schmitt-Roschmann (dpa) report on the remembrance service
Over the altar of the Berlin Marienkirche, rainbow flags were laid, the organ played. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several ministers attended to honor the victims of the attack at the Christopher Street Day. But the service carried a broader message: a call against hatred.
A candle was lit. Then Imam Seyran Ates of Berlin spoke, reminding everyone of a verse from the Koran that is among the religion’s core ethical principles: “Whoever kills a person, it is as if he had killed all mankind; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved all mankind.”
For God, the text says, it does not matter what religion, origin, or sexual orientation a person has; “Every person is a creature of God.” Or as the constitution states: “The dignity of man is inviolable.” There is no contradiction between the Koran and the Basic Law, Ates argued. “Who preaches hate in the name of God and persecutes people because of who they love, who inflicts violence on queer people, is acting against the spirit of this verse,” she said. “He misuses faith for an ideology of hate.” We must not let this hatred tear us apart. “Love is halal; it is permitted.”

There was quiet in the moment. Some people seated in church pews cried. Two women held hands. One wore a heart-shaped rainbow flag sticker, another a ribbon.

The Protestant Bishop Christian Stäblein offered comforting words: “The heart of this city is freedom,” he said. Whatever the attacker sought to achieve, Berlin’s heart will not be silenced. Applause filled the church. And it was, after all, just one heart that unites society. “There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’.” God did not give humanity a spirit of fear, but of love and prudence. People are urged to stay together, especially now, urged the bishop.
People prayed, then formed a long line to light candles for the victims. A patient crowd. Chancellor Merz joined the line, and afterward thanked the churches “for making it a little easier to bear this fate.” Happily, the injured were no longer all in critical condition.
“I would also like to offer a very personal word to the queer community,” the chancellor added. “We will do everything in our power to protect freedom and tolerance in our society. Everything.” Amid the grief, Merz urged celebration again: “Show the world the joyful and united face of a free and open society.”

Suspect in CSD attack reportedly killed by police
Subsequent reports confirm that the suspect encountered in a garden plot in Spandau during a police operation was killed after approaching officers with a knife. Police said he died despite efforts to resuscitate him. The interior minister later confirmed the use of lethal force during the operation.

Thousands attend memorial events
In Berlin, thousands gathered at Pariser Platz from 2 p.m. on Sunday as part of a multi-hour vigil to honor the victims of the terror attack.

There, at the memorial for persecuted LGBT people during the Nazi era in Tiergarten, people laid flowers and shared messages of remembrance — including Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Berlin’s Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD). They had previously attended a memorial service at Berlin’s Marienkirche on Alexanderplatz. Hundreds then marched in a procession to the Brandenburg Gate.

In Hamburg, around 800 people attended a vigil announced only hours earlier; the city is set to host its own CSD next weekend. In Frankfurt am Main, about 500 people gathered to remember the victims, and in Erfurt about 400 people attended a vigil at the main train station (Erfurt Hbf).

The CSD outlines a security plan and conduct
The Berlin CSD, which earned praise for how rapidly it organized a calm evacuation, published a FAQ in social networks with more details on the incident.
“The Berlin Police have a comprehensive security concept for the Berlin CSD assemblies,” the preface read. “In the lead-up, the Berlin CSD e. V. prepared supportive measures for information flow, fire safety, occupational safety, and a team-based response system for the events. These measures were coordinated with the Berlin Fire Department, the Berlin Police, the Federal Police, ASB Berlin, DB Security, and the Tempelhof-Schöneberg and Mitte districts, enabling us to evacuate the event site quickly, in an orderly manner, and safely.”

“Love is halal” — Julia Kilian and Verena Schmitt-Roschmann (dpa) report on the remembrance service
Over the altar of Berlin’s Marienkirche rainbow flags were laid, the organ played. Chancellor Merz and several ministers attended to pay respects to the victims of the CSD attack. But the moment carried a broader message: a call to reject hate.
A candle was lit. Then Berlin imam Seyran Ates spoke, reminding all of a Quran verse that underpins a central ethical principle of Islam: “Whoever kills a person, it is as if he had killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved all mankind.”
For God, Ates said, it does not matter what religion, origin, or sexual orientation a person has; “Every person is a creation of God.” The Basic Law also affirms “the dignity of man is inviolable.” There is no contradiction between the Quran and the Basic Law, she argued. “Who preaches hate in God’s name and persecutes people for whom they love, who commits violence against queer people, is acting against the spirit of this verse.” “They misuse faith for a hatred ideology.” We must not let this hatred divide us. “Love is halal; it is permitted.”

There was quiet in the church. Some people cried, two women held hands. One wore a heart-shaped sticker with a rainbow flag, another wore a ribbon.

The evangelical bishop Christian Stäblein offered comforting words: “The heart of this city is freedom,” he said. Whatever the attacker hoped to achieve, the city’s heart would not be taken from the people. Applause rose from the pews. “There is only one heart that unites our society,” the bishop noted. “There is no ‘the queers’ and ‘the others’.” God did not give humanity a spirit of fear, but love and prudence. People should stand together, especially now, he urged.

People prayed, then formed a line to light candles for the victims. The line grew long as they waited patiently. Chancellor Merz joined the queue and afterward thanked the churches for “making this a little easier to bear.” Fortunately, the number of injured now appears not to include anyone in life-threatening danger.
“I also want to address a very personal message to the queer community,” the chancellor added. “We will do everything to protect freedom and tolerance in our society. Everything.” In the face of grief, he urged people to keep celebrating life as well. “Show our opponents the joyful and consensual face of an open, liberal society.”

Suspect in CSD attack reportedly attacked police officers
It has been confirmed that the suspect killed during a police operation in a Ruhleben garden colony near the Tiergarten incident attacked officers with a knife, prompting officers to shoot. The man died despite resuscitation attempts, the Berlin Police announced on the platform X.

Thousands attend memorials
From 2 p.m. Sunday, thousands gathered at Pariser Platz to honor the victims of the terrorist attack.

At the Tiergarten’s memorial for persecuted LGBT people during the Nazi era, people laid flowers and memorial notes — as did at the attack site in Tiergarten — with Chancellor Merz and Berlin’s Interior Minister Iris Spranger among the attendees. They had earlier joined a remembrance service at the Marienkirche on Alexanderplatz. A large crowd then marched in a procession to the Brandenburg Gate.

In Hamburg, about 800 people attended a vigil announced only hours earlier; the city will host its own CSD next weekend. In Frankfurt am Main, about 500 people gathered to remember the victims; in Erfurt, about 400 joined a vigil at the main train station.

“Love wins” — a remembrance moment and prayers for the victims
Several memorials and vigils took place in Berlin and across Germany to honor those affected by the attack, with many participants expressing a message of unity and resilience.

More vigils and solidarity across Germany
Dozens of gatherings and moments of reflection continued in other cities, echoing the messages of support and hope from Berlin’s CSD and the broader LGBTQ+ communities.

Ongoing coverage and community response
From Hamburg to Frankfurt and beyond, communities organized demonstrations of solidarity, with local organizers emphasizing unity, mutual aid, and continued vigilance in the face of hatred.

What officials and organizers say
Authorities and event organizers stressed that safety plans were executed and that the public should remain calm while remaining aware of ongoing investigations. Official updates urged residents to follow police guidance and to protect one another as the investigation progresses.

Vigils and memorials across the country
In addition to Berlin, vigils and memorials were held in multiple major cities as people paid tribute to victims and reaffirmed commitments to LGBTQ+ rights and safety for all communities.

Support lines and community resources
The CSD posted helpline numbers for support and stressed: “We are a strong community, stand together, and support one another. Pay attention to official police communications and do not let this division you.”

Additional memorials and messages
Across social media and local venues, messages of solidarity poured in from cities around the world, with many LGBTQ+ organizations and allies reaffirming their commitment to safety, inclusion, and resilience in the face of hate.

Search for information and ongoing investigation
Authorities continue to advise the public to stay tuned for updates and to follow guidance from police and official channels as investigators review the incident and its context.

Community prayers and a call for unity
Religious leaders and community members called for unity, compassion, and a resolve to live without fear while continuing to defend the right of queer people to live openly and proudly.