SERBIA: Organisers of Belgrade pride say it will go ahead on October 2 despite opposition from right-wing groups

Record ID: 449626

  • Title: SERBIA: Organisers of Belgrade pride say it will go ahead on October 2 despite opposition from right-wing groups
  • Date: 26th August 2011
  • Summary: BELGRADE, SERBIA (AUGUST 26, 2011) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC ON BELGRADE STREET PRIDE PARADE ORGANISERS SPEAKING PRIDE PARADE POSTER READING IN SERBIAN "PRIDE PARADE BELGRADE" (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) ONE OF PRIDE PARADE ORGANISERS, JOVANKA TODORIC, SAYING: "The pride will definitely take place on Sunday, October 2. Of course, the exact time and route will be announced later to the participants." REPORTER TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) PRIDE PARADE ORGANISERS, GORAN MILETIC, SAYING: "What's important for the second phase, which starts from now on after we announced the date, is the verbal support which so far had been very adequate and the kind we had expected, to be transferred into real actions. From today we will evaluate the support of the state, based on what it does and what it is obliged to do by the law." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) BELGRADE RESIDENT, MILENA, SAYING: "I don't have an opinion. But I think we live in a democratic state, so everyone has a right to act, as long as this action does not threaten the rights of other people." (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) BELGRADE RESIDENT, ELDERLY WOMAN, SAYING: "I don't know why they use the word "parade", that word bothers me. Everybody has the right [to hold actions], but let them use a different word, not parade." [QUESTION OFF CAMERA] What's you opinion?" (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) BELGRADE RESIDENT, ELDERLY WOMAN, SAYING: "I have nothing against it, let them do it, my only problem is the word they call it "parade" I have to admit." (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) BELGRADE RESIDENT, NIKI, SAYING: "My opinion is that it should be abolished, gay parade, I don't agree with it, this is Balkans, we are totally against I personally against it, for me it does not exist"
  • Embargoed: 10th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Serbia, Serbia
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,People,Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVADEGD5944TYLBEJ6XS4Z82408E
  • Story Text: A Belgrade gay pride parade will go ahead as planned, its organisers said at a news conference in the Serbian capital on Friday (August 26).
    "The pride will definitely take place on Sunday, October 2. Of course, the exact time and route will be announced later to the participants," said Jovanka Todoric, one of the organisers.
    Goran Miletic from the parade's organising committee said that so far the Serbian government expressed verbal support for the event and he hopes that the real actions will follow.
    "What's important for the second phase, which starts from now on after we announced the date, is the verbal support which so far had been very adequate and the kind we had expected to be transferred into real actions.From today we will evaluate the support of the state, based on what it does and what it is obliged to do by the law," he said.
    Serbian right wing groups have already announced they are against the parade. The Srpski Sabor Dveri movement has warned that another gay pride parade in Belgrade could set off a bomb of social discontent and called on Serbian President Boris TadiU+0107 to call off the preparations for the event.
    Citizens of Belgrade have various feelings about the parade.
    "I don't have an opinion. But I think we live in a democratic state, so everyone has a right to act, as long as this action does not threaten the rights of other people," said Milena, a student from Belgrade.
    "I have nothing against it, let them do it, my only problem is the word they call it "parade" I have to admit," said an elderly lady on the street of Belgrade.
    "My opinion is that it should be abolished, gay parade, I don't agree with it, this is Balkans, we are totally against I personally against it, for me it does not exist", said a young man Niki.
    Last year's gay pride caused serious clashes between the police and the parade's opponents in Belgrade. More then 140 people were injured and over 100 detained. 11 police cars and three fire engines were destroyed
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