Vienna Rainbow Parade Honors the Victims of Graz with Silent March

The Rainbow Parade on Saturday in Vienna is also dedicated to remembering the victims of the rampage in Graz. "This year, many things are different. The terrible events in Graz have deeply shaken us," said the organizers. The usually loud demonstration will therefore begin as a silent march.

Condolences after Graz Rampage: Rainbow Parade as Silent March

"We call on all participants to show our condolences by marching quietly, without music, without cheering, up to the Parliament. The mourning banners created in the Pride Village in the two days prior will be carried at the front of the parade up to the Parliament and laid down there. A black mourning ribbon will adorn all the signs of the participating groups in the parade," announced the organizers in a statement.

Behind the Parliament, the parade will then continue loudly. "Because our pain does not silence us. Our joy of life is not opposed to mourning - it is part of our resistance. Our motto this year 'Unite in Pride' gains an even deeper meaning these days: We must not let ourselves be divided," it was stated.

Vienna Rainbow Parade Starts at 12:00 PM

The parade starts at 12:00 PM at Rathausplatz. The route leads over the Parliament, Heldenplatz, the Vienna State Opera, Schwedenplatz, the Stock Exchange, the University of Vienna back to Rathausplatz, where the Pride Celebration takes place at 6:00 PM. In addition to speeches, for example by Vienna's Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS), performances by Conchita Wurst, JJ, and Melanie C from the Spice Girls are on the program.

The organizers of Pride always emphasize the political origins of the event. Although much has changed for the better worldwide since the first events in the 1970s in the USA, many demands of the community remain unfulfilled. In Austria, above all, protection against discrimination in the private sector and a ban on conversion therapies.

Enhanced Security Measures, Large-Scale Police Operation

Following the terror threat against the Rainbow Parade two years ago, the events are accompanied by dense security measures. For the parade, as is generally the case for large events, there is an abstractly heightened threat level. "However, there is currently no specific threat," said the executive to the APA. The police will be present on-site with numerous forces. "The measures are carried out in close coordination with the organizer and are continuously adjusted to the current situation," said the police.

According to ÖAMTC, road users must expect hours-long ring closures and corresponding delays due to the Rainbow Parade. Delays are to be expected on the diversion routes, especially on the Zweierlinie. Tram lines 1, 2, 71, and D, as well as inner-city bus lines, will be shortened or diverted. ÖAMTC recommended using the subway lines.

Livestream of the Rainbow Parade 2025

The parade will be broadcast from 12:00 PM by the streaming provider Joyn as well as on TV on Puls 24. Through Joyn, the Vienna Rainbow Parade can also be seen beyond Austria's borders in Germany and Switzerland this year, it was stated in a press release.

With regard to the rampage in Graz in recent days, ORF has considered to what extent celebrating people should be visible in the program. The Rainbow Parade will not be broadcast live on ORF 1, but it will be available as a stream on ORF ON, the public broadcaster announced. At 11:30 PM on ORF 1, there will be a summary of the events, which will also include the activities that Pride is undertaking in memory of the victims of Graz.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.