The Belgrade anti-gay riot was an incident of violence against LGBT people that occurred on 10 October 2010 during a pride parade, organized to promote LGBT rights in Serbia. The gay pride parade has been the first in Belgrade since 2001;[1] a planned parade in 2009 was cancelled due to the threat of violence.[1]
Belgrade anti-gay riot | |||
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Date | 10 October 2010 | ||
Location | |||
Caused by | Attempt to hold Pride parade | ||
Methods | Rioting, assault, arson | ||
Parties | |||
| |||
Casualties | |||
Injuries | 95 | ||
Arrested | 101 |
Anti-gay and anti-government protesters fought with about 5,000 armed police,[2] throwing Molotov cocktails, bricks, stones, glass bottles and firecrackers;[3] the police used tear gas and rubber bullets.[1] There were no fatalities.[1]
Police said that 78 police officers and 17 civilians had been injured,[3] and 101 people had been detained for violent behaviour.[3] The garage of the building of the ruling pro-European Democratic Party was set ablaze, and state TV building and the headquarters of other political parties were also damaged.[4] The parade was viewed as a test for the government of Serbia, which has stated it will protect human rights in Serbia as it seeks to become an EU member.[4] Jelko Kacin, presiding over the European Union's evaluation of Serbia, said that Serbia's failure to stop the riot could damage its bid to join the EU.[5] During a visit to Belgrade two days after the riot, US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, praised the Serbian government for protecting the human rights of the parade participants.[5][6]