Solidarity march: Thousands attend queer demo in Cologne

Under the motto "Cologne shows solidarity, Cologne shows attitude," thousands gathered in Cologne for a demonstration in support of the queer community.

The rally was called by several initiatives and associations in response to an Islamist attack that occurred on the sidelines of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Berlin. Participants marched through the city center, with the organization Cologne Pride reporting approximately 10,000 attendees, significantly exceeding the registered number.

Organizers emphasized that words of solidarity are insufficient. They urged federal, state, and local governments to implement sustainable measures to protect and strengthen queer structures and lives, addressing the rising hostility towards the queer community.

The march took place in the wake of a violent incident on July 25, where a 21-year-old man drove a car into a crowd and allegedly attacked others with a machete during the Berlin CSD. The attack resulted in one woman's death and left 31 people injured, some severely. The suspected assailant was shot and killed by police the following day.

In response to the Berlin attack, security measures were heightened for CSD events across North Rhine-Westphalia. The CSD in Essen, held the previous Saturday, also saw an increased police presence and a moment of silence for the victims of the Berlin attack. Approximately 3,500 people participated in the Essen march for diversity and against discrimination.

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Words of solidarity alone are not enough. We demand measures from the federal, state, and local governments so that queer structures and queer life are sustainably protected and strengthened in order to counter the growing queer hostility in our society.