The first Czech lesbian and gay Pride procession passed through Brno today, the first ever in Czech history.
The threat of attack from right-wing radical organisers threatened the procession, but at least five hundred gays and lesbians paraded through the streets back and forth.
At the end of procession, ten people were injured with gas, which attackers threw from passageways. Police arrested a total of 15 people.
However, the Gay and Lesbian marchers set out into the streets - one after the other, taking a shorter route to Freedom Square, they were met by about three thousands of people. Around five hundred of them belonged to the procession Queer Parade, others just came to see the parade.
About a hundred and fifty anti gay extremists were on the spot.
Another anti gay group, the National Resistance supporters this time, waiting for Zelném market with banners saying “No way for gay”, waiting for the procession to arrive.
According to information MF DNES wanted pravicoví extremists to infiltrate the procession and to also throw Eggs.
At the end of the procession someone from Masaryk street threw gas. From Zelného Square, a hundred extremists went straight to Freedom Square.
Utíkající extremists then attacked in the street in Brno, Czechs to four young Arabs. “This is not your country, you have a mistake country,” they cried out to them, then threw tomatos and beat them. The Boys hid in the door of one of the houses. Police did not intervene in the incident.
Ministers attended in the forefront of the procession .
At the head of the procession went Minister for Human Rights Džamila Stehlíková, gay activist Jiri Hromada and Brno green politicians and Catherine Martin Ander Dubská. Gays and lesbians will meet in the evening at seven for parties in Fléda club. Police said, however, that this evening they will monitor and guard the streets around Fléda club.
Organizers urged people to keep within the area of the parade….. “Participants should remain in the vicinity of Freedom Square,” confirmed the spokesman strážník? Denisa Kapitan?iková.
The parade interrupted tramway traffic on Freedom Square for over two hours. The event was from the beginning trying to thwart extremists. One of the militants was injured during the clashes. “This we have heard from the media, officially to us that is not known,” said police spokeswoman Andrea Prochazkova.
The police had prepared well with water cannons. Police stopped fifteen people. “After verification of the identity we have two people arrested for disorderly conduct, the only remaining detention committed offences,” advised Prochazkova.
Police confirmed that tear gas had been used….
In the city of Brno, the march was overseen by Deputy Mayor Daniel Rychnovský, Mayor of Brno, on Wednesday Dagmar Gross said he would take, if necessary, action to put an end to the parade on the spot.
After Freedom Square demostrators walked with a cross and Brno activist Libor Halík, known for his stance against gays said…. “St. Mary, Mato God ochra?uj us before homosexuálními paedophiles,” cried Halík through his megaphone.
ORIGINAL FIRST ROUTE FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS PARADE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC :
Participants, however, only went to Masaryk street and back after problems from the extremists.
So, the first ever Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade took place here in the Czech Republic. Whilst it was not without incidents, it happened.
This is a reminder that there is still much to be done in the name of equality for gay and lesbian people, here and everywhere throughout the world…
Harry, Prague.
