TBILISI, Georgia — A pride march in the country of Georgia was canceled after protesters stormed and ransacked the headquarters of Tbilisi Pride.
A large group of demonstrators showed up in the capital city of Tbilisi on Monday, the day of the planned parade, following criticism by the Georgian Orthodox Church and conservative politicians, according to Al Jazeera.
Journalists reporting from the scene were targeted after protesters accused them of “promoting the ideas of the LGBT community,” according to Meduza. One journalist was taken to the hospital, while others reported being hit with sticks and bottles and having their equipment stolen or broken. An LGBT flag was ripped from the headquarters of Tbilisi Pride, ripped to shreds, and burned.
The event planners canceled amid the violence, issuing a statement saying the protest marked a “war declared against civil society, democratic values, and the country’s European course.” They further asserted authorities did not take sufficient action to prevent violence, saying, “We do not expect the Interior Ministry to adequately perform its duty, as we see that they are not responding to the violence taking place in front of them, and the huge wave of hate that we are watching right now is inspired and supported by the government and Patriarchate.”
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The incident elicited backlash from the international community, including from the United States.
“We condemn the July 5 violent attacks in Georgia on civic activists, community members, and journalists. Georgia’s leaders and law enforcement are obligated to protect the Constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly and prosecute those participating in violence,” a State Department spokesman said.
The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi signed a joint statement with several European Union countries, condemning the violent demonstrators and expressing concern over the “failure” of government officials and religious leaders to condemn the violence.
The Western rebuke, and LGBT appeals to Western sentiments, shows how the current cultural war in Georgia has become part of a wider struggle between the liberal West and illiberal Russia, which backs several Orthodox and nationalist groups in the country. Several Georgian media outlets characterized the protesters as “pro-Putin,” and the protesters tore down the EU flag hanging outside the Georgian parliament, according to Formula News.
The Georgian Interior Ministry reported eight people were arrested over 55 documented incidents of violence, 53 of which were against journalists, according to Open Caucasus Media.
Activists and opposition leaders condemned Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili for a prior statement in which he warned Tbilisi Pride not to proceed with the parade, accusing the march of being organized and backed by “radical opposition,” according to Formula News. The head of Tbilisi Pride, Giorgi Tabagari, accused State Security Services of assisting the violent protesters, claiming the march’s location was secretly changed several times, but protesters showed up in advance to each new location.
Thirteen opposition parties released a joint statement on Tuesday that accused the government of “encouraging and organizing” the violence, urging a change of government as soon as possible. It further accused the incumbent Georgian Dream government of supporting “anti-Western, violent groups … The democratic political spectrum and the whole public must focus on the change of government.”
The Georgian Orthodox Church — a key ally of fellow Orthodox Russia and no stranger to confrontations with liberal, Western-backed groups — played a key role in organizing the counterprotests.
On Saturday, the Georgian Patriarchate released a statement condemning the planned LGBT march, accusing the EU of promoting what they called a “perverted lifestyle,” according to civil.ge.
“The drastic interference of certain embassies and some of the members of the European Parliament in our public and spiritual life is a matter of severe concern and unacceptable for our Church and our citizens, and we believe that it is an abuse of their authority,” the statement read.
The Great Synagogue of Tbilisi and the Yezidi Theological Council also condemned the planned march, requesting Tbilisi to prevent it from happening, according to local media.
The Church urged its followers to join them in a protest on July 5, which it stressed was going to be a peaceful rally, telling followers “not to follow deliberate provocations.” Several independent priests and bishops were less cautious, with one influential leader, Bishop Jacob, saying, “LGBT and their supporters are ordinary terrorists.”
U.S. Ambassador Kelly Degnan met with the bishop in May, according to the editor-in-chief of civil.ge.
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Following the violence, the Patriarchate blamed the violence on the pride organizers. While denouncing the violence, the Church said, “Responsibility must lie first of all with Tbilisi Pride organizers.”
The Georgian Patriarchate said a “sharp response” was inevitable given the rally showed signs of “moral, psychological and ideological abuse against our populace and future generations.”
Original Location: Pride march in Georgian capital canceled after protesters storm event headquarters
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