This year’s rainbow parade around the Wiener Ring was in full swing. It is one of the highlights of Vienna Pride 2023. Around 300,000 people have been marching on the Ring since midday to demonstrate together for acceptance, respect and equal rights in Austria, Europe and around the world. A “Krone” reader reporter recorded the impressive atmosphere with a video.
Vienna Pride 2023 will take place from June 1st to 18th. The highlight is the rainbow parade, where thousands of people gathered at 11 a.m. near the town hall square to demonstrate from there from 1 p.m. in the opposite direction of travel along the entire ring road and to celebrate together. “Together we rise” was the mood on the ring peaceful and the parade passed without incident. 98 decorated trucks, other vehicles and groups of participants danced through the city center under the motto “Together we rise” in early summer temperatures. A short downpour in between didn’t dampen the atmosphere. “Pride Celebration” from 6 p.m. The so-called Pride Celebration was held with speeches by activists and politicians. Right from the start, Conchita took part in the parade as part of a larger pedestrian formation with the message “Spreading Happiness”. remember those who can no longer be with us because they died of the immune deficiency disease HIV/AIDS or were victims of a violent crime because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” the organizers explained on their website. The ring road was already permanently closed at 10 a.m set up between Operngasse and Franz Josefs Kai, which remains open until 7 p.m. The rainbow parade was supposed to last until 10 p.m. Possible disruptive actions The police were on site with around 700 emergency services. Also this year, the police expected several disruptive actions. A meeting of possible conflict parties with a high police presence is to be prevented. In the past, for example, the FPÖ had criticized the event. Meanwhile, further “marches” by counter-demonstrators were announced. Here the route ran from Stephansplatz via Graben and Minoritenplatz to Ballhausplatz. In the late afternoon, the counter-demonstrations ended without incident. “Enemies of cosmopolitanism” Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) reported on an incident in advance. “Enemies of cosmopolitanism have sprayed the city’s logo black,” which is in City Hall Park, he wrote on Twitter. “We acted quickly and made the rainbow shine again. We will not be intimidated” and they want to celebrate “the diversity at the rainbow parade”.Political demonstrationThe rainbow parade is one of the largest political demonstrations in Vienna, which campaigns for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people .
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