CSD in Pforzheim: Barbecue festival despite right-wing provocations!

CSD in Pforzheim: Barbecue festival despite right-wing provocations!

Today, June 15, 2025, Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Pforzheim is becoming the center of attention. After a series of turbulent events and worrying developments, the CSD is being accompanied by a countermovement that should not be underestimated. On June 12th, the third CSD parade was already being prepared in the city, while right-wing extremist groups, including the “Störtrupp Süd”, mobilized.

This group has announced a counter-rally close to the CSD route, supposedly to defend “traditional values”. The police have come up with an extensive security concept for this day. Around 1,000 participants are expected at the CSD, while the countermovement, which includes between 150 and 200 people, is expected. The city has therefore taken security-related measures to spatially separate the two events; Significant restrictions on road traffic are to be expected between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the extended city center. bnn.de reports that Antifa also mobilized to protect the CSD from possible right-wing provocations.

Right-wing extremist activities in focus

On June 14th the time had come: the CSD wanted to stand up for diversity and tolerance with a colorful parade. But a few days earlier there was a worrying rally by the right-wing extremist group. These left a stale aftertaste that dampened the anticipation for the CSD. After one such event, where alcohol was consumed and Nagold urinated in, the participants were observed and pictures of them were published. Indymedia reports that a call to document the activities and to harass participants in their free time was spread, further inflaming the situation.

Pforzheim's mayor Peter Boch (CDU) has clearly committed to a cosmopolitan attitude and advocates tolerance and social cohesion. However, the city decided against banning counter-demonstrations because such procedures are often viewed as not very promising. The Baden-Württemberg Office for the Protection of the Constitution has also targeted the group “Störtrupp Süd” as reports indicate that right-wing extremist actors are increasingly mobilizing against queer people. Queer hostility is considered a central theme within this scene and is used as a strategy to win younger people over to their views, such as Stuttgarter Nachrichten determine.

The CSD as a symbol of diversity

Organizer Caleb Davis from the Spotlight association has made it clear that the CSD will take place as planned. The queer community is invited to set many signs for diversity. Davis emphasizes that right-wing counter-protest in Pforzheim is not a new phenomenon and refers to previous protests. Discussions within the community about the question of whether CSDs may have become too apolitical are also discussed.

A memorial hour for queer people persecuted under National Socialism is also planned for Friday, June 11th at Bertha-Benz-Platz. This initiative is supported by various groups, including the Working Group of Christian Communities in Pforzheim and the citizens' movement #Zusammenhalten Pforzheim. The CSD in Pforzheim remains an important meeting point for everyone who wants to make a statement.