Weekend of July 26-27, 2025: Crowd Control Units, Police Aggression, and Peacemaking Initiatives
Brutal Police Violence at Internationalist Queer Pride Demonstration in Berlin
Berlin, 26th July 2025 - Tensions escalated at the Internationalist Queer Pride (IQP) demonstration in Berlin this weekend, as reports of brutal police violence surfaced against peaceful protesters [2][3][4]. Videos and photo evidence show police assaults and a chaotic situation following the crackdown [2][3][4].
The event, which included a Palestine Bloc, was part of a broader context of resistance against state and right-wing repression. The organizers of Internationalist Queer Pride had circulated guidelines about how to handle police interactions, indicating concerns about increasing state repression and police aggression [5].
The violent police action sparked strong condemnation and calls for solidarity. Organizers and participants documented the excessive use of force and called for resistance against state repression and violence towards queer and activist communities [1][2].
Meanwhile, the largest CSD took place in Berlin on Saturday, with several hundred thousand people attending, according to police and organizers. "Never silent again" was the motto of CSD Berlin this year.
In other news, severe wildfires are currently raging in Greece and Turkey, with several regions on the mainland and several islands in Greece being affected [6]. Greek authorities have requested EU support.
Elsewhere, a convoy of around 100 trucks with humanitarian aid was allowed to enter Gaza, marking the first time in months that such deliveries have been permitted [7]. Israel had previously announced a daily ceasefire to enable such aid deliveries.
In Germany, the CDU is reportedly deciding on queer-hostile laws, while queer organizations within certain parties and companies are fighting for improvements against great resistance [8]. The CDU's queer organization participated in the CSD Berlin.
Similar disputes occurred in Chemnitz, where the mayor spoke out against rainbow flags on public buildings [9]. Boos were heard during the mayor's speech at the CSD in Chemnitz.
The peace talk between the heads of government of Thailand and Cambodia is scheduled for Monday to address the ongoing border conflict, which has resulted in over 30 deaths and displaced many more [10]. Criticism of Israel's military conduct has increased significantly in recent days and weeks, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz holding another conversation with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu over the weekend [11].
A resettlement project for Peregrine Falcons is underway, with the Leipzig Zoo involved [12].
References: [1] taz [2] Berliner Morgenpost [3] Der Tagesspiegel [4] Deutsche Welle [5] Internationalist Queer Pride [6] Euronews [7] Al Jazeera [8] Die Welt [9] Sächsische Zeitung [10] Reuters [11] Deutsche Welle [12] Leipzig Zoo
- The violent police action at the Internationalist Queer Pride demonstration in Berlin over the weekend has raised concerns within the queer community about the CDU's reportedly queer-hostile laws in Germany, further fueling the general-news discussion about the growing tension between state and queer activist communities.
- As the international community voices strong condemnation against the brutal police violence at the Internationalist Queer Pride event in Berlin, a solidarity movement is forming in the broader context of politics, with activists and organizations calling for resistance against state repression and violence towards queer communities, and critics increasing their criticism of Israel's military conduct in the same vein.
