Thousands fill the Homomonument in solidarity with Pride Berlin

Several thousand people stood in near silence at the Homomonument on Tuesday evening, and then they made noise about it. The message from the crowd was simple: the community will not be pushed back indoors. The gathering, held on 28 July, marked the victims of the attack on Pride Berlin on Saturday, when a man crashed his car into participants. A woman was killed and dozens were injured. The Amsterdam event began at 8:00 p.m. with a minute of silence. Speakers included Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema and Myrtille Danse, chair of COC. Halsema called Berlin the "city of freedom" and said Amsterdam stands in solidarity with queer people there and everywhere. "Hope will never be silent," she said. The influencer couple Karl and Daan, who were at Berlin Pride on Saturday, described what they had seen and said: "fear and hatred will not stop us. We will celebrate Pride." State Secretary Judith Tielen and representatives of the German embassy also attended. Afterwards the speakers laid flowers at the Water Triangle, and attendees followed, many bringing a flower of their own at the organisers' request. Many also lit candles. Police were visibly present, and Halsema had already announced extra security measures for WorldPride, which is currently taking place in the city. Not everyone found it easy to be there. Some attendees said they were frightened, and a small group deliberately stood at the edge of the crowd, "just in case something happens". Even so, one woman said she came because it matters that the community makes itself seen. Several hundred people also gathered in Arnhem that evening, where the city hall was lit in rainbow colours. At Vibra, we see that same instinct every weekend: people choosing to show up for one another. Nightlife has always been part of how LGBTQ+ communities in Amsterdam find safety, friendship and visibility. Vibra is built to support that, with tickets to the city's queer nights and Pulse points that reward the regulars who keep these rooms alive. Source: NL Times (ANP), 29 July 2026