2023_attack_on_Tbilisi_Pride
2023 attack on Tbilisi Pride
Violent anti-LGBT counter-demonstration in Tbilisi, Georgia
The 2023 attack on Tbilisi Pride (Georgian: 2023 წლის თავდასხმა თბილისის პრაიდზე) was a violent counter-demonstration and protest held by far-right, nationalist and ultranationalist groups against Tbilisi Pride, a LGBT festival in Tbilisi, Georgia.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Tbilisi Pride started their week-long series of events on July 1, with plans to hold their "March for Dignity" on July 8 at 12 pm at Lisi Lake. Many Far-right, Nationalist, Ultranationalist and Fascist groups posted on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook that a counter-demonstration was planned against the pride event, violent threats were made against the pride event and the planners before the event took place.
This article may contain excessive or inappropriate references to self-published sources. (January 2024) |
On July 8, protesters gathered in Saburtalo District in Tbilisi at 1pm to block roads and march to Lisi Lake. They passed through Nutsubidze Plato II, III, and IV micro districts. Police forces met them with fences and barbed wire. The protesters clashed with police forces, which resulted in several arrests of anti-LGBT and far-right demonstrators. The far-right groups broke barricades and entered the festival venue. Deputy interior minister Alexander Darakhvelidze stated that no one was harmed during the incident, and that the police evacuated the organizers of pride parade from Lisi lake by bus. Tbilisi Pride announced the parade was cancelled due to the danger of anti-LGBT protesters.[10]