At the Kulturzentrum Bunte Welt in Cottbus, four rainbow banners were destroyed. The property damage was discovered on Thursday, according to the Queer Rainbow Collective, which is based in the building on Thierbacher Straße.
“the latest incident is hardly six weeks old. Whoever destroys rainbow banners is sending a signal. It is an attempt to sow insecurity among queer people. Queer life should be displaced,” said Managing Director Christian Müller. “We will not tire of reporting these acts to the police and making them public. The banners will be replaced immediately.”
Arson attack and swastika graffiti
It was only in mid-September that two swastikas were smeared on rainbow banners on the entrance stairs, and the façade bore the message “Wir hassen euch” (We hate you). Earlier in March, banners had been smeared and torn down (Queer.de reported). Last year, unknown individuals set a paper trash can on fire on the rear façade (Queer.de reported). At the time, the center suspected a connection to the upcoming Christopher Street Day (CSD).
The Rainbow Collective describes itself as working for a diverse and open society, creating places for encounters and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Müller situates the incidents in a broader context and calls on politics to act: “Attacks on the queer community and on other minorities are increasing. We need effective measures to preserve and protect democracy. We urge the federal government, the state of Brandenburg, and the municipalities to protect diversity, invest in prevention and education, and promote democratic cohesion. The current austerity drive is going in the completely wrong direction.” (mize)
