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Pride Canceled in Tbilisi, Georgia After Violent Anti-LGBTQ+ ProtestsÂ
Pride Canceled in Tbilisi, Georgia After Violent Anti-LGBTQ+ ProtestsÂ
The anti-LGBTQ+ protestors tore down rainbow flags and ransacked the offices of local LGBTQ rights groups.Â
LGBTQ+ activists in the capital of the country of Georgia canceled a Pride Parade that had been scheduled for Monday evening following attacks by anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrators on activists and journalists.
In a message on Twitter, the organizers of Tbilisi Pride wrote, "We would like to state that the #PrideMarch will not take place today. The authorities did not ensure the security of the community and our supporters."
\u201cWe would like to state that the #PrideMarch will not take place today. The authorities did not ensure the security of the community and our supporters. We can not go to the streets full of violent people backed by the authorities and patriarchate and put people's lives at risk!\u201d— Tbilisi Pride (@Tbilisi Pride) 1625486245
The organizers said the people was backed by Georgian authorities and the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets carrying Georgian flags, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Two of the outlets' journalists were attacked.
Georgia's prime minister previously said that holding the march would lead to confrontation and that it was "unacceptable for a large segment of the Georgian society," reported the outlet.
Videos have circulated online showing violent anti-LGBTQ+ assailants scaling the offices of Tbilisi Pride where they then tore down a rainbow flag and entered the office.
Tbilisi Pride co-founder Tamaz Sozashvili posted a video on Twitter showing the damage done by the assailants.
\u201cThis is how @TbilisiPride office looks like inside after the radicals storm it. \n@usingeo @EUinGeorgia @UNDPGeorgia @LGBTIintergroup @SandAndresen @ColasDiego @MaaikevanKoldam\u201d— Tamaz Sozashvili (@Tamaz Sozashvili) 1625490049
In a joint statement by more than ten embassies, including the U.S., countries called out the violence and urged authorities to investigate the attacks.
"We condemn today's violent attacks on the civic activists, community members and journalists, as well as the failure of the government leaders and religious officials to condemn this violence," the joint statement said. "Violence is simply unacceptable and cannot be excused. Those who incite or threaten violence or commit violent acts are interfering with the efforts of Georgia's law enforcement professionals to uphold a safe and secure environment. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
Pride events have met with violence in the past in Tbilisi. In 2019, far-right demonstrators attacked those attending Georgia's first LGBTQ+ film during a screening in the capital.
