Saxony-Anhalt
Hitler salute: suspected right-wingers disturb CSD in Weißenfels
Parades for Christopher Street Day (CSD) show support for homosexual and queer people. (symbolic image) photo
© Focke Strangmann/dpa
Rights had already rushed against the first Christopher Street Day in advance. After a disruptive action on Saturday, the state security is now investigating.
At the first Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Weißenfels Saxony-Anhalt was disrupted on Saturday by suspected right-wing extremists. The Hitler salute is said to have been shown, said a police spokeswoman. State security is investigating. She did not give any further details, citing ongoing investigations.
More than 20 people were involved in the disruptive action before the start of the CSD in the Weißenfels market area, which delayed the start of the move. The identity of those involved was determined on site and a report was filed.
Around 600 people took part in the parade for the rights of gay and queer people, according to the police. After the attacks before the start of the CSD, the rest of the event went “without any major incidents,” it said.
Homophobic statements on leaflets
Previously, there had been hate speech against the CSD by the right-wing extremist party The Third Way. Both on social media and on leaflets, some homophobic statements were made against it.
The district administrator of the Burgenland district, Götz Ulrich (CDU), as patron of the event, emphasized that such right-wing extremist positions made it clear how important it was to show support. It is also not always easy for homosexual or queer people to feel accepted in rural areas.
Weißenfels has about 40,000 inhabitants. The once baroque residential city is located in the border triangle of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia and is considered the gateway to the central German castle and wine-growing region of Saale-Unstrut.