Statement of the Board of the Berlin CSD Association (Berliner CSD e. V.) on the attack at the 48th CSD

We, the Berlin CSD Association, are shocked and deeply saddened by the attack at the 48th Berlin CSD. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this terrible event.

The Berlin CSD Association was informed by the police shortly after 10:00 p.m. about a dangerous situation in the vicinity of the closing rally of the Berlin CSD. The board of the Berlin CSD Association immediately called off the rally. The programme on the stages and the operation of all food and beverage stands were suspended at once, and all visitors were instructed via displays and announcements to leave the venue immediately and in an orderly manner in the direction of the Brandenburg Gate. The participants followed this instruction promptly, calmly and without any further incidents.

The Berlin police have a comprehensive security concept in place for the Berlin CSD gatherings. In addition, the Berlin CSD Association had prepared supporting measures for the flow of information, fire protection, occupational safety and a stewarding concept for the gatherings.

These measures were coordinated with the Berlin Fire Brigade, the Berlin Police, the Federal Police, ASB Berlin, DB Sicherheit, the districts of Tempelhof-Schöneberg and Mitte, and enabled us to evacuate the event area swiftly, in an orderly manner and safely.

We would like to thank all volunteers and all those who wanted to demonstrate peacefully with us Saturday, 25th of July. Many of them ended the day in a highly distressing emotional situation. What they experienced may have lasting effects. We recommend that all affected persons make use of the available psychological counselling services. Emergency pastoral care is also available for our own team.

Our thanks go to all helpers and emergency responders who acted immediately. Their swift and professional response was decisive in this situation.

We would especially like to thank the police, fire brigade, emergency services, the Berlin Senate and the other authorities involved for their good and composed cooperation and their support in this difficult situation for all of us.

The Berlin CSD stands for cohesion, respect and solidarity. What is needed now is composure and compassion for the victims and their families.

Our position has not changed: we reject every form of violence. Right-wing or religious ideologies pursue the aim of suppressing queer people. We clearly identify Islamist terror without any relativisation. Equally, we resolutely oppose any attempt to instrumentalise the act to incite hatred against Muslims or people of particular origins.

Such violence is driven by the attempt to divide our society and set people against one another. We will not allow that. We will remain vocal; we will not be pushed back. Love is stronger than hate.