More than 80 associations have signed a solidarity agreement to support people and organizations targeted or threatened by right-wing extremists. The alliance “Together for Democracy” unveiled the agreement on Thursday in Berlin. Signatories include labor unions, the major Christian churches, sports federations, and numerous human rights, social, and environmental groups — including the LSVD+ — the Association Queere Vielfalt.
With the agreement, the organizations aim to coordinate support in the wake of attacks on youth or cultural centers, during hate campaigns, or in threats against volunteers — for example through public demonstrations of solidarity, legal assistance, or financial aid. The coalition says the backdrop is a rise in attacks on people and organizations that advocate for democracy and human rights.
Andre Lehmann, a member of the LSVD+ national board, pointed to the Islamist attack on the Berlin CSD: “The attack on the Berlin CSD hit a site of the struggle for queer rights and stands, therefore, for the growing queer-hate in Germany.” An assault on queer rights is always also an assault on democratic spaces, Lehmann said: “That is why we stand together for diversity and democracy.”
Yasmin Fahimi, chair of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), also called for unity: “Let us not be divided. Division weakens our society.” Solidarity should be met with protection, visibility, and support, Fahimi added.
Karen Taylor of the National Conference of Migrant Organizations emphasized that the pattern of attacks shifts who is targeted: “Today a migrant organization is hit, tomorrow a queer initiative, the day after tomorrow an environmental group or a union.” The alliance’s response, however, is organized solidarity rather than retreat: “When an organization is attacked, it is not left to stand alone.”
The alliance “Together for Democracy,” founded in 2024, concentrates the commitments of its member organizations to democracy and human rights.
