Berlin Pride Attack Condemned; Stockholm Festival Proceeds with Security Measures

A car rammed into a crowd celebrating Pride in Berlin on Saturday evening, killing one person and injuring 16 others. The attack occurred during the Christopher Street Day celebrations, a major Pride event.

Stockholm Pride's chairman, Tasso Stafilidis, expressed his shock and condemnation, calling the incident a "terrible attack against the entire civilized society." He drew parallels to past attacks targeting the LGBTQ+ community, citing the shootings in Orlando and Oslo.

"Our history has been marked by these attacks," Stafilidis said, emphasizing that the Berlin incident is not just an assault on the victims but on the fabric of society itself. He noted that while the situation is serious, it does not currently alter the security plans for Stockholm Pride, which is set to begin on Monday.

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It is fruktansvärd attack mot hela det civiliserade samhället, Vår historia har kantats av dessa attentat.

Stafilidis assured that security measures for the Stockholm festival, which attracts tens of thousands of participants and spectators, are robust and have been in development year-round. He acknowledged an increased awareness of potential threats due to rising hate and harassment against LGBTQ+ individuals globally. However, he stressed that the festival would not proceed if safety could not be guaranteed.

"We must not forget that this festival exists for a primary reason, and it's not about partying and listening to schlager. The main reason is that it is needed to counteract the forces in society, both here in Sweden and around the world, that want to silence us," Stafilidis stated. Police have also reassured the public that security will be tight, with meticulous planning for the parade and other events.

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We should not forget that this festival exists for a primary reason, and it's not about partying and listening to schlager. The main reason is that it is needed to counteract the forces in society, both here in Sweden and around the world, that want to silence us.