Tbilisi’s Pride march canceled due to violent counter-protests

Tbilisi, Jul 5 (EFE).- The Pride march in the Georgian capital initially scheduled for Monday was canceled by the organizers due to violent anti-LGBTQI+ protests in which hundreds of people took part.

 Several journalists who had gathered to cover the pro LGBTQI+ rallies were attacked by anti-Pride protesters, resulting in four reporters being hospitalized.

 “The rally has been canceled over security reasons,” the organizers said in a statement, accusing the anti-Pride protesters of “declaring war on society, the democratic values and Georgia’s pro-western politics.”

The organizers criticized prime minister Irakli Garibashvili who said that the Pride march was supported by former president and opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili, who is exiled in Ukraine.

During a cabinet meeting, Garibasvili proposed to move the rally to another spot “due to the danger of a civil confrontation.”

Many members of the Orthodox clergy took part in the anti-pride rally, calling for an end to the violence while proclaiming that they will not allow a “Sodom and Gomorrah” in Georgia.

Georgia ranks 32 out of 49 European countries regarding the respect for the LGBTQI+ community’s rights and fighting discrimination, the latest report by International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA Europe) revealed. EFE

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