Mad and Disability Pride Parade Berlin Asks a Protester to Leave Over Palestine Scarf

On July 13, 2024, we, a group of disabled and chronically ill friends, attended the Mad and Disability Pride Parade in Berlin. Shortly after joining, one of us was approached by a coordinator ('Ordner*in') who told them to remove the Palestinian flag-patterned scarf hanging over their baby’s pram. The coordinator said flags were not allowed at the parade to ensure that everyone felt safe and welcome. Our friend refused to put the scarf away. When asked why, they replied, "Palestine Solidarity is Disability Justice," and the coordinator walked away.

About 20 minutes later, a group of around six coordinators approached our friend again, asking them to remove the scarf for the "safety and comfort" of “everyone.” Our friend explained that they would not remove the scarf and that by asking them to remove it, they were making us feel uncomfortable and unsafe. The coordinator introduced themself as the parade organizer and explained that they had a long collective decision-making process to agree on this matter. Our friend said that the parade was absolutely not representing "everyone" as they were claiming, and the organizers asked them to leave.

Some members of the organization team approached people wearing keffiyeh and asked them to put the keffiyehs away, explaining that it was their rule and they didn't want to have any problems with the police.

Later on, we heard from friends who were in another part of the parade that someone attacked them. They were holding a sign that read: "Russian war in Ukraine violently makes people disabled” and "queercrips for Palestine.” The attacker came very close to them and tried to take the poster away, shouting, "We said no flags and no political statements!" They explained that these slogans are part of Disability Justice. The attacker then left but watched them from a distance. During the parade, they saw many violent acts on crip comrades who were for Disability Justice.

Many comrades left early, feeling unsafe due to the oppressive control throughout the route. Towards the end of the route, a coordinator told them to move faster because they were near the police. When told it was ableist to ask disabled people to move faster, the coordinator, despite acknowledging that not everyone can walk fast, said they wanted to avoid problems with the police.

We all left the parade.