Germany vows to defend freedom after Berlin pride attack

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on participants in pride events not to be intimidated following a vehicle attack in Berlin on Saturday evening that left one woman dead and 29 injured. The German government has officially labeled the incident an Islamist terrorist attack.

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We will defend our freedom, our openness, our liberal way of life, and our society with all our might, and we will do it together.

"We will defend our freedom, our openness, our liberal way of life, and our society with all our might, and we will do it together," Merz stated. He emphasized that "we are more, we are stronger, and we stand together in our country." The Chancellor asserted that "this type of attack has only one goal: to create division in society" and to destroy German "openness and freedom."

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We are more, we are stronger, and we stand together in our country.

Speaking outside Berlin's Marienkirchen, where a special service for the victims was held, Merz stressed that "these extremists have no place in our society." He assured the public that German authorities "will do everything to apprehend the perpetrator or perpetrators as quickly as possible." Merz added that the government will "consider the consequences and make decisions with both calmness and determination."

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this type of attack has only one goal: to create division in society and destroy German openness and freedom.

Earlier, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed the attack's classification as an Islamist terror incident. Of the 29 injured, several sustained serious wounds, with four in intensive care but all out of life-threatening danger, according to a Berlin hospital. The attack occurred during a pride event, highlighting the vulnerability of public gatherings and the ongoing threat of extremism.

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these extremists have no place in our society