Serbian police clash with anti-LGBTQ+ protesters during EuroPride march
Serbian police clashed with anti-LGBTQ+ protesters during EuroPride’s march in Belgrade. Over the last few weeks, the highly anticipated event faced numerous roadblocks from the country’s government.
On 29 August, Serbian President Aleksander Vučić shocked the European LGBTQ+ community after cancelling the EuroPride march without warning. “The Pride parade that was scheduled for the month of September will be postponed or cancelled, or whatever that miracle is called, it doesn’t matter.” Shortly after the announcement, EuroPride representatives ensured that the parade would still go ahead despite government pushback.
However on 13 September, the Serbian police backed up the president’s cancellation when they announced their own ban on the parade’s route –which they said was due to “security concerns.” “The Serbian Police banned this year’s EuroPride March, by handing over the official notice to the organisers,” EuroPride said in a Twitter statement. “Belgrade Pride will use all available legal means to overturn this decision.
Expect more information soon.” On 17 September, hours before the event was set to take place, the Serbian government gave EuroPride organisers the go-ahead to proceed with the march.
