CSD Dresden defies rain and dispute over assembly status

Dispute over classification of the festival as an assembly

In the run-up to the event, there had been a weeks-long dispute over the classification of the festival. The regional authorities had decided that only the parade was an assembly, but not the multi-day street festival. This was assessed as a commercial event. In this case, the organizer would have had to bear the costs for security and cleaning, among other things.

After an appeal by the organizers, however, the Saxon Higher Administrative Court classified the entire festival as an assembly. According to the court, freedom of assembly is of great importance. The event had also been held as an assembly in previous years.

The CSD was never simply entertainment, emphasized Ronald Zenker, spokesperson for the CSD Dresden board. "Pride begins with protest, with visibility and with a commitment to equal rights and social participation." At a time when queer people are once again experiencing increased hostility, CSD remains a place for democracy, solidarity and an open society.