A van drove into a crowd during yesterday's ongoing Pride festival in Berlin. One person has been confirmed dead and at least three have life-threatening injuries.
Stockholm Pride begins on Monday. In a written comment to TT, the festival's chairman, Tasso Stafilidis, writes that Stockholm Pride is "deeply shaken by the terrible events" and that it is following developments closely.
"The systematic security work is an important part of the festival's planning every year," continues Stafilidis, urging everyone who wants to show solidarity with those affected in Berlin to come to Stockholm Pride.
Could have happened in Sweden
Felix König, secretary general of RFSL, says that the organization must increasingly focus on safety at its events.
We have long seen how the safety of - and attitudes towards - LGBTQI people in Sweden have deteriorated. That is why we have long warned about the developments we are now seeing. What happened in Berlin could just as easily happen in Sweden.
Implement their program
At the same time, he is keen not to cause concern, and RFSL will carry out its programme items at Stockholm Pride as planned.
We must not be afraid, but it is important that we gather, meet and continue our work for an open and free society.
What do you personally think about what happened in Berlin?
It's terrible. It's such a horror to imagine this joy and community suddenly just turning into something completely different.
