Right-wing Extremist Disrupts Christopher Street Day in Cologne with Homophobic Actions

Several people disrupted Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Cologne on Sunday with right-wing extremist slogans and tore down rainbow flags. Police Criminal charges were filed against 13 men between the ages of 18 and 30 and they were expelled. Eyewitnesses informed the police.

The suspects are said to be on Christopher Street Day “loudly right-wing radical and homophobic” and destroyed rainbow-coloured flags, symbols of the queer movement, police reported, citing witness statements.

Even before the introduction of CSD Colon According to the police, numerous attacks and threats of attacks were spread on the Internet. The Cologne police state security service as well as the state and federal criminal police offices investigated, but said they found no evidence that the plans were serious. The CSD took place as planned.

Right-wing extremism

East Germany

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The starting point of the demonstration with more than 60,000 participants is the Deutzer Bridge. The cathedral can be seen in the background.
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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Disguised participants at the CSD in Cologne. The local CSD with 90 floats and 250 groups is currently marching through the city center. It is considered one of the largest parades of its kind in Europe.
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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The CSD falls on an anniversary year. 30 years ago, on 31 May 1994, Section 175 of the Criminal Code was abolished in the Federal Republic of Germany. This criminalised sexual acts between men and thus enabled the persecution of homosexuals.
© Jana Rodenbush/Reuters

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Drag queen Tatjana Taft poses as a three-armed candlestick on the Deutzer Bridge, the starting point of the parade.
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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Jens Pielhau (from left), member of the Cologne Pride board, Bärbel Bass (SPD), President of the Bundestag, Claudia Roth (Greens), State Minister for Culture and Media, Martin Hommel, Karl Lauterbach (SPD) Federal Minister of Health, Henriette Reker, Mayor of the City of Cologne, Ina Brandes (CDU), Minister for Culture and Science at the CSD in Cologne
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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Participants showed their colours at the CSD in Cologne. Three stages have been set up in the city and the events will go on until 10 pm on Sunday. The organisers expect a total of one million spectators.
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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Participants at the CSD in Cologne: ColognePride started on July 6th and will end with demonstrations this Sunday.
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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One visitor holds a poster that reads “Being gay is like the glow — it never goes away.”
© Jana Rodenbush/Reuters

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Also featuring prominent guests: Brothers Tom Kaulitz (left) and Bill Kaulitz celebrate on a float.
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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Participants hold community flags. The rainbow flag in the foreground represents diversity. It also symbolizes openness and pride. In the background is a new version that aims to visualize intersex people in addition to people of color affected by racism.
© Jana Rodenbush/Reuters

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Participants disguised in golden costumes on the Deutzer Bridge
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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Julius came from Düsseldorf to attend the demonstration in Cologne.
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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One participant holds a sign that reads, “Hate is not an opinion.”
© Christoph Reichwein/​dpa

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Participants try to protect themselves from the rain with flags.
© Jana Rodenbush/Reuters

Sign up for queer rights

The annual CSD in Cologne is the largest demonstration of its kind in Germany. Around 1.4 million activists and spectators took part according to the organisers. Many in the movement are currently concerned about the shift towards the right in Europe. The next big CSD is planned for Berlin next Saturday, July 27. According to the organisers, the governing mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), will not open it this year at their request, the media report: In their opinion, he has not committed himself sufficiently to the deprivation of rights.

The annual CSD parade, held in many cities around the world, aims to underline the demand for equal rights for gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and other queer people. Nowadays, the demonstration is often primarily a celebration of the presence of gay people. The CSD is actually reminiscent of the Stonewall riots: on June 28, 1969, the police stormed the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in New York. Serious clashes between activists and security forces followed.