Protesters vandalize Zimbabwean LGBTQ rights group’s offices
A handful of protesters over this past weekend vandalized the offices of Zimbabwe’s largest LGBTQ rights organization. Although they did not enter GALZ (an Association of LGBTI People in Zimbabwe)’s building in Harare, the country’s capital, they did gather at the gate and sang homophobic songs.
The protesters also left anti-gay graffiti on the gate and walls. Several people after the incident started to question the authenticity of the protesters, arguing GALZ itself organized the protest in order to get funding.
They said some of the protesters “looked gay” and even argued the organization had yet to approach the police. GALZ has sought to discredit some of the reports, while calling the protest disrespectful and uncalled for. “We categorically condemn the acts of vandalism and intimidation that occurred on Sunday afternoon,” said GALZ in a statement. “A group of individuals claiming to represent various Christian churches descended at our offices.
They proceeded to vandalize the property, painting hateful graffiti on the walls. While we respect differences in values, it is utterly unacceptable to deploy acts of vandalism and intimidation against communities who hold different values.” GALZ said it has filed an official police report, and is “cooperating fully with the ongoing investigations.” “We call on the authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable for these criminal actions,” said the organization.