Another anti-LGBT riot broke out in Georgia, during which the EU flag was burned. Photo: Sputnik
Georgia was stirred up by an anti-LGBT riot, in which the EU flag was burned, and as a result, discussions around the country’s European integration revived.
Details – in the article “Countries”.
Cross instead of the EU flag
The Week of Dignity began in Tbilisi on July 1, during which members of the LGBT community held a number of events. The final “March of Dignity” was to take place on Monday, July 5th. Opponents of sexual minorities began to conduct contractions, blocking the central Rustaveli Avenue. They pelted journalists and TV operators with sticks and bottles. More than 50 journalists were injured. The march was eventually canceled.
The confrontation, however, continued on the evening of July 6, when a “silent rally” was held outside the parliament building in Tbilisi in solidarity with the journalists injured on Monday, as well as with the organizers of the rally in support of the LGBT community. Opponents of LGBT people protested in the neighborhood, the two actions were separated by a police cordon and iron fences.
First, opponents of LGBT people, who call themselves defenders of traditional values, prevented their opponents from unfurling the rainbow flag, and then tore off the EU flag from the parliament building and burned it. This was broadcast by the Rustavi 2 TV channel. Instead of the EU flag, they hung up the flag of Georgia and put up a cross.
Earlier, “prides” in Georgia were already accompanied by scandals and clashes.
In May 2013, opponents of the LGBT community brutally dispersed a rally against homophobia in Georgia. Three dozen people were injured. Since then, the actions of the defenders of the LGBT community have been carried out under serious police protection.
The ruling party is unhappy with the attempts to hold a gay pride parade in Tbilisi.
“Considering the whole context, these people should be denied in holding such an event,” said Irakli Kobakhidze, leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on the eve.
The European Parliament was outraged. The MPs sent a letter to the head of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri about Association with the EU, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“The comments of the chairman of the ruling party contradict universal rights, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Strasbourg said.
The opposition, on the other hand, defends LGBT activists.
Roman Gotsiridze, chairman of the opposition United National Movement, invited the Georgian president to attend a “pride” in Tbilisi.
“It would be nice if Mrs. President came to the pride on July 5, knitted a rainbow-colored scarf, took her personal confessor by the hand and showed civic consciousness,” the Mtavari Arhi TV channel quotes his opinion.
Gotsiridze accused Kobakhidze of encouraging violence with his statements.
“They want to turn people into a” herd “
The Georgians themselves were divided.
“It’s not only and not so much about the“ pride. ”A targeted attack on the spiritual values of the people is under way with certain forces, the task of which is to turn people into a herd aimed at the instinct of“ consumption, ”Georgian businessman Emzar Paichadze said in an interview with us.
“If we strive to join the EU, we need to accept the European rules of the game, with freedoms and rights for all citizens,” Georgian PR specialist Dato Chkareuli tells us.
At the same time, the revolt against LGBT people in Tbilisi has again intensified discussions on Georgia’s European integration.
“Most Georgians are not ready for gay pride parades for the sake of joining the EU. This is a red line that was drawn back in 2013, when the parade ended in a brawl,” political analyst Archil Sikharulidze told Strana
“The LGBT topic is a very sensitive topic for Georgians, even among young people there is no unequivocal opinion. In an Orthodox country with conservative values, such marches are unacceptable for many, part of society considers them gay propaganda. Others have already lost interest in this topic, not in vain are representatives of the opposition they are not afraid to lose in the rating, supporting LGBT people. In general, for politicians this is another topic for PR, and for Georgia – the threat of a split, “journalist Lela Saganelidze told us.
–
