Berlin Pride, also known as Christopher Street Day (CSD), is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to celebrate. The parade will feature 80 trucks and will move through key areas in the city, concluding at Brandenburg Gate. In response to recent violent incidents targeting the LGBTQ+ community, approximately 1,300 police officers will oversee safety measures. In a statement regarding the refusal to raise an official rainbow flag at the Bundestag, Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, "The Bundestag is not a circus tent." Counterdemonstrations are also planned, highlighting tensions surrounding the event.
Around half a million people turned out for last year's Berlin Pride parade. Hundreds of thousands are expected in Germany's capital on Saturday to celebrate Berlin Pride or Christopher Street Day (CSD). A huge parade featuring 80 trucks is expected to pass through the city, starting at Leipziger Platz, then heading to Potsdamer Platz and Schoneberg, before ending at the Brandenburg Gate.
The German Police Union (GdP) said Berlin authorities would mount a huge operation to protect the parade in the wake of several car ramming and terrorist attacks and due to the LGBTQ+ community being targeted by far-right extremists.
Around 1,300 Berlin police officers will be deployed, supported by hundreds more from other German states. Two counterdemonstrations with an expected 400 participants have also been registered with the Berlin authorities.
CSD organizers decided to display their own flag after the government rejected a request to hoist an official rainbow flag. Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended the decision, saying, "The Bundestag is not a circus tent," referring to Germany's lower house of parliament.
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