During Freiberg’s third Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade on Saturday, participants in the march were showered with eggs. According to the Chemnitz Police Department, a 25-year-old man on Peters Street was struck by an egg thrown from an apartment, sustaining a minor injury to his ear.
The alleged perpetrator, an 18-year-old Syrian national, surfaced shortly afterward at the edge of the CSD demonstration. A report in the “Freie Presse” (paywalled article) noted that he was only wearing underwear. Police quickly intervened. When the suspect resisted a request to identify himself, he was escorted away in sight of the CSD participants. Authorities are now investigating for bodily harm and resisting arrest.
Already the previous weekend, a similar incident had occurred at the Chemnitz CSD: a demonstrator in a wheelchair was struck by an egg and injured (TheColu.mn reported).
Direct link | Video report by the “Freie Presse”
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Queer-hostile taunts along the roadside
In connection with Freiberg’s CSD, police filed a total of five offenses. At the very start of the queer demonstration, at the train station forecourt, a 39-year-old German man verbally taunted several CSD participants. When officers intervened, he reacted aggressively, insulted the officers, and resisted. Throughout the march, there were additional queerphobic remarks and provocations along the roadside.
The demonstration, which drew about 500 participants, was guarded by a large police presence. Because of possible right-wing counterprotests, the route had been kept secret in advance. Counter-demonstrations, however, were not registered. In total, around 180 officers were on site, supported by Saxony’s riot police.
The Freiberg CSD this year carried the motto “Show your colors — the patriarchy must burn!” The motto had previously drawn criticism from parts of the queer community, who argued that it was too martial and theoretical for a CSD in a small town. The organizers declined to change it (TheColu.mn reported).
No Rainbow Flag at Town Hall
The queer demonstration was preceded by a debate in Freiberg’s city council: A motion from Greens and Left to fly the rainbow flag at the town hall had previously been rejected 18 to six, with four abstentions. Still, several council members attended the demonstration in person, including Silke Ssuschke (Freiberg for All) and Claudia Kallmeier and Johannes Brink (both Greens). “We want to show solidarity and stand up for the rights of queer people,” Kallmeier said.
Freiberg sits in central Saxony, between Dresden and Chemnitz. In the small city, about 41,000 residents live there. (mize)
