Georgia’s annual LGBT+ Pride event in Tbilisi was abruptly halted on Saturday after hundreds of counter-protesters stormed the site, leading to its evacuation by the police. The organisers of the festival announced that they were forced to shut down the event due to the authorities’ failure to maintain the perimeter. Tbilisi Pride stated that the developments indicated pre-coordination between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the violent group Alt-Info.
The interim deputy minister of internal affairs, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, explained that the pride festival was planned to take place in an open territory, making it difficult for the authorities to provide adequate protection. As a result, attendees were instructed to board buses for their safety just moments before the counter-protesters attacked.
The scene at the site was chaotic, with smoke rising as LGBT+ rainbow flags were burned and right-wing activists danced to traditional Georgian folk music. The British Ambassador to Georgia, Mark Clayton, expressed his shock and sadness at the cancellation of the festival despite the planning and preventive measures taken. He called on the authorities to ensure that those who broke the law and disrupted the peaceful gathering would be brought to justice.
Shalva Papuashvili, chairman of Georgia’s parliament, defended the police response, stating that they had appropriately ensured the safety of participants and journalists. However, Remy Bony, executive director of LGBT+ NGO Forbidden Colours, called on EU countries to provide refuge to the organisers at their embassies, as their lives were in danger from anti-LGBTIQ individuals.
Alt-Info, a far-right group with ties to the Georgian Orthodox Church, has consistently organized counter-protests against the annual pride festivities. In 2021, dozens of journalists were injured, and a cameraman later died during the event. The EU mission to Georgia strongly condemned the direct attacks on the country’s democratic and pro-European aspirations and criticized the burning of an EU flag outside the parliament.
Levan Chachua, the leader of the nationalist and religious Georgian Idea political group, expressed his refusal to join the EU if it would prevent them from entering the heavenly kingdom. Georgia has expressed its intention to join the EU, but Brussels has raised concerns about the government’s backsliding on human rights and civil liberties, particularly in light of its closer ties with Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.
How can authorities ensure the safety of participants at events held in open areas like Georgia’s annual LGBT+ Pride event in Tbilisi?
Thorities to ensure the safety of participants.
Georgia’s annual LGBT+ Pride event, held in Tbilisi, faced an unexpected disruption when counter-protesters stormed the site. The resulting chaos led to the evacuation of the event by the police. The festival organizers were left with no choice but to shut down the event, citing the authorities’ failure to maintain the perimeter as the reason.
Tbilisi Pride expressed their belief that the incident indicated a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Alt-Info, the violent group involved in the disturbance. They accused the authorities of not taking sufficient measures to prevent the disruption.
Interim Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, addressed the situation by explaining that the Pride festival had been planned in an open area, making it challenging for the authorities to effectively ensure the safety of participants.
It is deeply disheartening to see the intolerance and violence that have led to the cancellation of Georgia’s annual LGBT+ Pride event. These protests highlight the urgent need for greater understanding, acceptance, and support for the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
It is disheartening to see that violence once again becomes the reason behind silencing the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. Such events should be a celebration of love and acceptance, not marred by hatred and intolerance. Let us hope that Georgia’s Annual LGBT+ Pride event can be rescheduled in a safe and inclusive environment soon.