TL;DR: Vigils have been held for the victims of an attack on Berlin Pride, known locally as Christopher Street Day after the street where the Stonewall Riots took place. People have gathered in multiple cities to stand in solidarity.
Vigils have been held after one person died and at least 29 others were injured at Berlin Pride, one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ gatherings in Europe.
The suspect, 21-year-old Abdul Ballout, was shot dead by police after confronting officers with a bladed weapon. He was known to police and security services because of previous criminal offences and links to "islamist extremist activity" - Attitude
The Pride event was cancelled after a vehicle was driven into a crowd, and reports that others were stabbed during the event. The attack happened in the evening near the end of the Pride parade route, by Berlin’s Tiergarten park.
The events have shocked the global LGBTQIA+ community, leading to vigils taking place for the victims. In Berlin, a vigil was held by the Brandenburg Gate, close to where the attack took place. The gate was lit in rainbow lights for the vigil, with thousands in attendance - BBC
In London, hundreds gathered in Soho Square, where community members heard speeches from leaders including Mayor Sadiq Khan - Instagram
Following the attack, Brighton Pride will have armed officers deployed to the streets this weekend. Sussex Police said uniformed police, officers in plain clothing and "specialist teams" including armed police would be patrolling the Brighton & Hove Pride event, amid heightened concerns about safety - Sky News
Analysis: An attack on one of us, is an attack on all of us
Moments like this are shocking and upsetting, no matter where you live – if you're LGBTQIA+ too, seeing a Pride attacked is deeply concerning.
We saw a similar reaction when the attack on the Pulse nightclub in Florida took place, where 49 LGBTQIA+ people were killed. Vigils took place all over the world to show solidarity, care and concern with the victims.
Although Germany's politicians were united in condemning the attack, they've also faced criticism for fuelling anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and withdrawing funding from spaces which help keep the community safe - The Guardian
This attack is a harrowing reminder that hate towards our community is a pervasive force, one that we must resist and fight against with love, unity and solidarity.
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