A Hateful Attack on the Colorful Celebration in Bad Freienwalde
Armed Assailants Launch Attack in Pursuit of Increased Variety - Festival attendees confronted by masked assailants, disruption at celebration promoting diversity.
Hey there! Let's talk about an ugly incident that happened at a vibrant event in Bad Freienwalde, a small town in Brandenburg, northeast of Berlin.
The event, called "Bad Freienwalde is Colorful," was all about embracing diversity and tolerance, standing against hate and discrimination. Unfortunately, just before the festivities were supposed to start, a gang of masked thugs ruins the peaceful gathering. According to the police, around 10 to 15 attackers, equipped with batons or wooden sticks, launched an assault. As of early Sunday evening, these criminals managed to escape and are still at large.
Two individuals were left injured during the attack at noon on the market square of Bad Freienwalde. Some participants of the event belonged to the queer community. The police were present, but they were stationed in the wrong place, allowing the attackers to flee before they could intervene. Luckily, the wounded didn't require emergency medical assistance.
Since a political motive can't be ruled out, the state protection department, responsible for investigating politically motivated crimes, will head the investigation. They had been in touch with the organizers before the event.
"It's quite difficult to deal with this situation," stated Jule Grienitz, a spokesperson for the alliance, who was there during the attack. "We were setting up, and about ten minutes before the event started, around a dozen masked young men, wearing quartz sand gloves and armed with batons, charged towards us, beating up everything, injuring three people. Our security group successfully repelled the attackers."
Grienitz mentioned that children were present who witnessed the entire incident. Based on her accounts, three individuals were harmed: one suffered a large black eye, another had a bleeding mouth injury, and the third had a facial bruise.
Despite the attack, the alliance decided to continue the event with police protection. "What the Nazis' attack couldn't do, is ruin our event for us," Grienitz said. Many people attended, and the atmosphere was good. "The intimidation tactics of the Nazis or organized fascists, of course, work, but it only brings us closer together as an alliance."
Brandenburg's Interior Minister René Wilke visited the scene. "There have been occasional disturbances at such events in the past, but nothing like this," the independent politician said. "This is something we cannot tolerate in our society."
Wilke encouraged the organizers to continue and not be intimidated, stating that those who disregard the fundamental rights of freedom of opinion and assembly should not be tolerated by anyone.
The event, held for the fifth time, had about 50 posters displayed, half of which were torn down. "We didn't expect to be attacked like this," the alliance said. The police are investigating the case of dangerous bodily harm and urging witnesses to come forward. As of early Sunday evening, the perpetrators remained at large.
- Bad Freienwalde
- Diversity
- Police
- Children
- Wilke
- Brandenburg
The small town of Bad Freienwalde, with around 12,000 inhabitants, is situated approximately 56 kilometers from Berlin-Mitte and just before the Polish border. The 2023 Constitutional Protection Report listed the town as a hotspot of the far-right scene. This incident showcases how aggressive and confident the far-right and neo-Nazi groups have become, as suggested by the Amadeu Antonio Foundation in their statement on the X platform. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
- Given the political motive suspected by authorities and the past far-right presence in Bad Freienwalde, it would be prudent for both the community policy and employment policy to consider strategies for fostering inclusivity and combating discrimination in schools and workplaces within the town.
- As the general-news media continue to cover the events in Bad Freienwalde, it is essential to emphasize the importance of crime-and-justice reporting, particularly focusing on the impact of hate crimes as demonstrated by the attack on the colorful celebration in Bad Freienwalde, to raise public awareness and drive change for a more tolerant society.
