We are delighted that so many people protested resolutely against the victim myth and the Nazi torchlight march on February 13 and 15. Please also remember that the “Täter*innenspuren” memorial walk will take place on February 16.
We reproduce our speech on this occasion here:
Dear friends, dear anti-fascists,
It’s cold here at the Altmarkt in Dresden today. And maybe you’re shivering because you’ve been walking through the icy February wind for a long time with one of the demonstrations. But maybe it’s not only the weather that’s chilling us down? I feel a shiver in my heart when I think of the exclusion in Germany, when I think of the wall around Europe. And perhaps you are shaking with rage at the plans of the AfD, which today wants to further this inhumane coldness?
This fascist party is on the move again today. It wants to cement the myth of an innocent city and deny history. But the AfD not only wants to redefine the destruction of the past, it also wants to destroy our future. A month ago, it adopted its programme for the federal election in Riesa. Its plans are brimming with social cuts, discrimination and exclusion. Their intentions are directed against gender and sexual diversity and are deeply anti-feminist and trans-hostile. They go against everything we want for a better future.
And that is precisely why thousands of us were in Riesa to block their plans. And that’s exactly why today, we from Queer Pride Dresden are standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the cold again. Together we show what we think of extreme right-wing politics: absolutely nothing at all. And your solidarity provides more than enough warmth to get us through this evening. Our joint action here against historical revisionism, racism and sexism strengthens our resolve. Your commitment gives us the courage to continue fighting for a just society. The fact that so many people are politically active is fuelling the flame of hope in these uncertain times!
Thank you all for that!
As Queer Pride Dresden, we have been working towards a better future in very many different ways since 2020. We are committed to a strong queer community. For queer visibility in everyday life, for self-confident demands in politics. And we have been outspoken against right-wing parties and fascist actors since our foundation. We oppose all those movements that want to force social and political backlash. We fight against patriarchal ideology and anti-feminism. Not because we especially enjoy being constantly confronted with hate and harassment. It’s because we’ve been sick of it forever.
In many countries, there is a danger that rights that have been fought for will be abolished again. Hitler fan Musk and dictator Trump are currently trying to make the fascist dystopia a reality in the USA.
Just like Trump, the AfD doesn’t want queer people to be represented anywhere. They don’t want us in politics, they don’t want us in the public eye or in the media, they don’t want us in schools or in childcare and they certainly can’t stand any rainbow families. They simply don’t want us to exist. This is a fundamentally reactionary, right-wing and even fascist project. We must resolutely oppose this at all levels.
What we can do – no, what we must do! – is to continue to fight for equality. To demand an end to discrimination against diversity. To stand up for our rights and for ourselves. To be loud for all those who cannot demonstrate freely. We must stand up together for those who can’t come out for fear of violence!
Alone and isolated we won’t be able to fight everyday queerphobia, sexism, exploitation at work. Alone and in isolation, we will not succeed in protecting oppressed people from evictions, deportations and structural violence. But if we unite, then we will overpower the right-wing roar, then we can cause a change!
We standy with you today precisely in defence of diversity and human rights. And that gives us courage. It gives us confidence that we will stand together as a queer, anti-fascist and feminist movement.
We have a pretty simple motto for this year’s Pride in Dresden: ‘QUEER AND ANTIFASCIST – our bridges will hold!’
Because we think Anti-fascism and queer liberation belong together. Because we know that we can only win the fight for a future in dignity, freedom and diversity if we stand together in solidarity.
Our bridges are stronger than the pressure to perform, exclusion and degradation. But we must protect these bridges from populist acid that wants to penetrate small crevices and corrode bonds of solidarity.
So keep taking to the streets like today, organise with us and resist all oppressive conditions. Stand by your colleague of colour in solidarity. Occupy spaces, go on strike, block deportations and Nazi marches. For a future without hate, violence and exploitation! Here in Dresden, everywhere in Germany and all over the world!
We will continue to fight for justice! And if we stand up for each other, we will win this fight!
Thank you all so much for being here today! Have a successful evening and get home safely. We wish you much energy and motivation for the next saturday and the year ahead. And if you like, come to the Queer Pride in Dresden on 21st June. I promise you won’t be shivering with cold or anger there.
But today it’s all about us standing together:
Shoulder to shoulder for more social warmth!
Shoulder to shoulder for our dreams!
Shoulder to shoulder against fascism!