Serbian Gay Pride March Met with Violence

Thousands of rioters stormed the march.

The Serbian capitol of Belgrade hosted the country’s first gay pride march in two years this October. What should have been a joyous event devolved into charges of police brutality and attacks by neo-Nazi right-wing agitators.

Far-right groups say the public events and displays celebrating gay pride are contrary to Serbian family values and religious traditions.

According to the BBC, thousands of rioters stormed the march, chanting “death to homosexuals” while firing shots and hurling Molotov cocktails at the ruling pro-Western Democratic party’s headquarters. Marauders attacked demonstrators and police officers attempting to protect the marchers and set fire to several buildings. Fifty-seven people were injured in the melee, including 47 police officers.

“These riots obviously have nothing to do with the gay parade or any moral values,” said Jelena Trivan, a Democratic Party  spokeswoman. “These are hooligan gangs that must be punished severely.”


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