Numerous right-wing and religious demonstrators marched through the Serbian capital on Sunday, urging officials to forbid the Gay Pride march scheduled for the next weekend.
A large Serbian flag was hoisted by the protestors, who also chanted in support of Serbia’s longtime ally Russia as well as far-right and nationalist causes.
Biker supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s policies and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine formed a line and revved their engines in support of the masses that marched to the St. Sava cathedral in Belgrade for prayers.
Patriarch Porfirije, the leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church, claimed in a sermon that the EuroPride celebration endangered traditional family values.
They intend to violate the sacredness of marriage and the family by substituting an artificial union for them in place of marriage, he added.
Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Serbia, stated on Saturday that there had been threats against the march and that the police would decide whether or not to put an end to it.
LGBT and civil rights organisations have frequently stated that they will march on next Saturday even if the government cancels it.
Gay marriage is not permitted in Serbia, and activists claim that LGBT persons are subjected to prejudice and hatred.
Pride parades have previously been prohibited by Serbian administrations, and some gatherings in the early 2000s were marred by violence.
In a nation where the government is attempting to strike a compromise between its aspiration to join the European Union and its long-standing connections with Russia and China, many in the audience on Sunday carried Russian flags as a show of support for Moscow.
According to Brussels, Serbia must implement a number of reforms in order to join the EU, including strengthening the rule of law and its record on minority and human rights.
Featured Image: rferl.org
NEWS SOURCE: CRUCIAL NEWS GLOBAL
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